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Manila: Renegade members of a major separatist Muslim group in the southern Philippines' Basilan island have freed two Marines they had captured on Tuesday, a navy spokesman said.
Emissaries of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) splinter group brought Corporals Jesse Duatin and Bernie Alcabasa to the 1st Marine Brigade headquarters in Isabela City, Basilan, on Friday said Lieutenant Colonel Edgard Arevalo.
However, no concessions were made in securing the release of the two soldiers, said Arevalo.
MILF commander Long Masud had earlier promised to release the two Marines if authorities freed his nephew, who was arrested over his alleged involvement in the beheading of 10 Marines in Basilan in July 2007.
Duatin and Alcabasa were abducted after their commander sent them to the MILF lair in Basilan, apparently following the receipt of surrender feelers from Masud.
The military will file a complaint against the MILF for violating a ceasefire agreement in 2003, said Arevalo. The Philippine government and the MILF have been holding on and off peace talks since 1997.
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