ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (Islamweb & News Agencies) - The Philippines rejected a cease-fire call from the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas allegedly linked to the al Qaeda network on Monday and said the Abu Sayyaf had only two choices -- surrender or die.
The cease-fire call from the Abu Sayyaf group, who are holding three hostages including an American missionary couple, was their first since they seized the hostages in May last year.
U.S. special forces recently began helping the Philippine military tackling the Aby Sayyaf in the most significant expansion of the U.S. war on terror outside Afghanistan.(Read photo caption within)
Five guerrillas were killed and six soldiers were wounded in fighting last week on Basilan island, near Zamboanga.
The United States has linked the Abu Sayyaf to Islamic dissident Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network, prime suspects in the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.
U.S. special forces are training Filipino troops on counter terrorism on Basilan -- a largely Muslim island where the Abu Sayyaf enjoys support -- to help them defeat the group.
The more frequent clashes between the armed forces and the Abu Sayyaf in recent weeks has led to speculation the group might soon release their captives.

PHOTO CAPTION:
Philippine troops, manning a check, stand atop of an armored personnel carrier in the town of Lumbang in Isabela province, southern Philippines March 25, 2002. Photo by Romeo Ranoco/Reuters