MANILA, Philippines—The government on Wednesday rejected the Abu Sayyaf’s demand that Vice President Noli de Castro negotiate with them the release of three of three Red Cross workers kidnapped in Sulu.

"I think we should not glorify and glamorize these people by giving in to their demands as to whom they would want to negotiate with. I think that could be a very bad policy to do so,'' Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said.

Officials instead let the local crisis management committee handle the negotiations for the release of Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba as a matter of policy. The three are workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

"Our policy regarding negotiation with terrorists or kidnappers is to leave the matter entirely into the hands of the local crisis management committee,'' Remonde told reporters in a briefing.

He added: "In a situation like this we really have to establish a certain policy, certain ground rules and once these policies and ground rules are established I think it is prudent for us to stick to that.''

Abu Sayyaf commander Albader Parad has demanded that De Castro head the negotiating team, citing his closeness to President Gloria `Macapagal-Arroyo and his experience in negotiating the release of hostages in the past.

De Castro said he was ready to help secure the release of the hostages, but demanded to know the terms.

Parad had also demanded that Senator Richard Gordon, the ambassadors of Switzerland, Italy and Qatar, Representative Mujib Hataman, and Sulu provincial officials, among others, be part of the negotiating team.

To ensure their security, the bandit leader set the condition that the military withdraw its detachments in the area where the ICRC workers were being held.

In an interview over RMN radio earlier in the day, Remonde said that Parad's demand will be referred to the local crisis committee for consideration.

"Whatever will be their recommendation, that will be studied by the National Security Council, whether that is acceptable,'' he said.

A National Security official, who asked not be identified by name, scoffed at the Abu Sayyaf's demand, saying this would put the lives of De Castro and the rest in danger if they agreed to it.

"That's very absurd. That's too risky for the Vice President. We can't trust these people. Remember, they kidnapped the crew of ABS-CBN that were supposed to interview them?'' the official said.

The extremist group snatched broadcast Ces Drilon and her TV crew in the hills of Indanan, Sulu, in June last year, releasing them days later reportedly in exchange for a huge ransom.