Cimatu said the bandits have been moving from one place to another to elude pursuing soldiers but are believed to be now in the borders of Patikul and Luuk towns, and Panglima Estino and Patikul.
"They have split and have remained mobile to divide the troops’ attention. But our forces remain focused on these areas," he said.
Cimatu, however, said there have been no sightings of the hostages yet.
The group of Jumdan Jumalul alias Commander Black Killer is holding hostage the three vessel crew members — Indonesians Munto Jacobi Winowatan, skipper; Julkipli, first officer; and Pieter Lerrich, chief engineer.
The four women have been held captive by the group of Muin Sahiron since Aug. 21. Their two male companions were decapitated.
President Arroyo ordered yesterday the immediate deployment of Marines from General Santos to Sulu to join the pursuit against the hostage-takers.
"Because of the need to end the Abu Sayyaf scourge in Sulu, we need the Marines there," she told delegates to the 4th National Tuna Congress in General Santos.
The President, in effect, lifted her previous order suspending the transfer of the Marines which were fielded in General Santos last March following a spate of bombings there.
Cimatu said the Armed Forces will strengthen its "territorial defense system" in Sulu with the help of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit to cut down the mass base of the kidnappers and the Abu Sayyaf extremists. — With Marichu Villanueva