The U.S. embassy has offered a $5 million reward for the capture of five Abu Sayyaf leaders who are holding hostage two American missionaries and a Filipina nurse in Basilan, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Francis Ricciardone said yesterday.

The embassy showed to the media a poster, which displayed the pictures of the five most wanted Abu Sayyaf leaders. They will be posted at strategic places nationwide.

The most wanted Abu Sayyaf leaders were identified as Abu Sayyaf chieftain Amir Khadaffy Abubakar Janjalani, Abu Sayyaf spokesman Aldam Tilao, Jainal Antel, Isnilon Totoni Hapilon and Hamsiraji Marusi Sali.

Philippine authorities will undertake the arrest. There is no need for a joint cooperation in arresting the wanted Abu Sayyaf leaders, said embassy spokesman Frank Jenista.

The embassy also announced two toll free new hotlines - in Manila, 1-800-10-7392737; and in the U.S., 1-800-877-3927, and cellphone number 02-562-9832 (until 34).

The embassy's offer is called 'Rewards for Justice Programme'. It is administered by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of diplomatic security.

"We hope that this Rewards for Justice Programme, now active in the Philippines, will support Philippine government efforts to bring to justice the terrorists responsible for the murder of Filipinos and Americans," said Ricciardone.

The Abu Sayyaf terrorists are "violent criminals who must be stopped," said Ricciardone, adding: "Without question, the rewards for justice programme is a formidable weapon in the U.S. arsenal to combat the threat of international terrorism."

Meanwhile, U.S. authorities can share the tip with the Philippine authorities, the U.S. embassy said. "The information which could lead to somebody's arrest could be shared with Philippine authorities, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation, whoever necessary. We are in daily contact with Philippine authorities in this in fight against terrorism," Jenista explained.

"It does not matter to us if they (arrested Abu Sayyaf leaders) are brought to justice here or in the U.S. or at The Hague International Court," said Jenista, adding, "The important thing is they are taken out of the position where they can endanger innocent people and they are tried and found guilty and locked away so that they cannot do any further damage."

Jenista clarified the bounty has no direct link to the ongoing U.S.-Philippine wargames meant to crush the Abu Sayyaf in the southern Philippines. U.S. troopers were deployed in February. Jenista denied the state-of-the-art weaponry of the Americans failed in locating the Abu Sayyaf leaders and rescuing the hostages.

"Any resources that we have where we can find, arrest, or stop terrorist acts are valuable," said Jenista.

"This is not a sign that the U.S. embassy has lost its confidence on Philippine authorities to get the Abu Sayyaf leaders," said Acting Press Secretary Silvestre Afable. The Philippine government policy that American troopers will not be engaged in arresting the Abu Sayyaf leaders stands, he added.

"This is a way of speeding up the arrest of these people, and engaging public involvement and participation," said Afable.

"The Abu Sayyaf has been identified as one of those groups with international links by the U.S. State Department. It is not surprising that international rewards will be set up against them," said Afable.

Last year, President Gloria Arroyo put up a P 100 million ($2 million) bounty for the arrest of the Abu Sayyaf leaders.

Meanwhile, the Philippine military praised the reward money offered by the U.S. government. "We're happy. This will be a great boost and a big help to our ongoing efforts against international terrorism," said military spokesman Lt Col Jose Mabanta.

"This will ensure the total annihilation of the Abu Sayyaf group," Mabanta added. In the past, the U.S. has paid over $9.5 million to 23 people who provided credible information on terrorists.

The USA Patriotic Act of 2001, which became law on October 26, authorised State Secretary Collin Powel to offer rewards for the arrest of terrorists. The U.S. government has offered a $25 million reward for information leading to the capture of Osama bin Laden and other Al Qaida leaders.