A former Abu Sayyaf hostage, American Gracia Burnham, says that Abu Sayyaf told her that they were dealing with a Filipino general. The general was trying to get a ransom deal, with the unnamed general getting a cut of the ransom. There have been accusations of corrupt soldiers in the campaign against Abu Sayyaf. And the latest accusation fits in with earlier information (like Abu Sayyaf mysteriously escaping when surrounded by troops.) The government, with the media holding their feet to the fire, are stepping up the investigation.
MILF attacks in the south have left 83 dead and hundreds wounded in the last two months. This has made it difficult to conduct peace negotiations with the MILF.