MANILA, Philippines -- Rescue operations for four employees of an electric cooperative that were kidnapped by alleged Abu Sayyaf bandits in the southern island province of Basilan have been suspended to give way to negotiations, a military official said.

Vice Governor Al-Rashid Sakalahul is leading the negotiations against the abductors, Marine Corps Commandant Major General Ben Dolorfino told reporters on Monday.

Quoting Senior Superintendent Salik Macapantar, Basilan provincial police director, Dolorfino said: "They have suspended the conduct of Police and Marine rescue operations pending the negotiation being conducted by the vice governor and the authorities of the Basilan Electric Co."

Dolorfino could not say whether the kidnappers, led by Abu Sayyaf leaders Nur Hasan Jamiri and Furuji Indama, have made any demands.

"In a situation like that, the primary consideration always is the safety of the victims, so we are giving way to the crisis management team," Dolorfino said.

On June 26, the Abu Sayyaf allegedly abducted five employees of the
Basilan Electric Cooperative (Baselco) in Tuburan town, while they were inspecting transmission lines. One of the abductees was freed later in the day, reportedly because he was a member of the Yakan tribe, like the abductors.

The Tuburan incident was the second kidnapping incident involving the Abu Sayyaf this month. On June 8, the bandits abducted an ABS-CBN television news crew and their guide in Sulu province and were freed several days later, amid reports that ransom was paid.