MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine troops will not get distracted by a threat from Abu Sayyaf militants to behead a German hostage if a ransom was not paid by Sunday and will press assaults to crush the brutal group, military officials said. "Deadline or no deadline, troops are exerting all effort and means in order to go after the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf and to rescue all kidnap victims," the military command in charge of the Sulu region said in a statement. The Abu Sayyaf is desperate for money and lacks encampments where they could hide their hostages because of continuing battle setbacks, including the killings of eight militants in a Feb.