ZAMBOANGA, Philippines ? A Muslim rebel leader said today that he will release his last remaining Filipino hostage but did not mention an American missionary couple captive for more than a year.

Abu Sabaya, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, said in an interview with RMN Radio that he will release Filipina nurse Ediborah Yap “any moment. But I hope there will be nobody who says this is a rescue. This is not a rescue. This is a release.”

Yap was taken hostage June 1, 2001, when the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas raided a hospital on the southern island of Basilan to seize medical staff and medical supplies to treat their wounded.

At the hospital, Yap met Wichita, Kan., missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham who were abducted days earlier along with 18 other people, including another American, in a guerrilla raid on a southwest beach resort.

Guillermo Sobero, of Corona, Calif., was later beheaded along with several other hostages. Others escaped or were released, some reportedly for ransom.

On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the capture of all or any of five senior Abu Sayyaf leaders, including Sabaya.

Sabaya, known for his taunting remarks, belittled the U.S. effort and said today that the huge reward demonstrates the importance of Abu Sayyaf leaders like him.

“That’s OK,” he said. “It’s a nice offer.”