Government soldiers yesterday rescued three coconut plantation workers earlier kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf group in southern Basilan province after security forces stormed a rebel encampment in Lantawan town, an Army spokesman said.

Major Alberto Gepilano said soldiers swooped down on an Abu Sayyaf hideout and clashed with guerrillas late on Friday night in the remote Balatawin village. He said at least three hostages – Virgilio Perillo and his son Virgilio and brother Fernando – were rescued.

The Perillos were among the 13 Christian farmers abducted by the Abu Sayyaf last month on a raid on the Golden Harvest Plantation in Tairan village, Lantawan town last June 11, according Gepilano.

The Army spokesman said there were no casualties on the military side, but could not say if there were rebels killed during the assault. "The kidnappers retreated deeper into the jungle following a 20-minute gunfight," he added. "The trio are currently giving statements to the military," Gepilano said.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding 15 Filipinos and two Americans in Basilan, but the kidnappers have divided their hostages into several groups to confuse pursuing troops, he said.

A third American captive, Guillermo Sobero, is believed to have been beheaded by his captors last June. The rescue of the three hostages was the first in a month as the rebels continue to elude pursuing government forces.

Some 5,000 soldiers, Marines and police have been deployed in the island province after the group abducted 20 tourists and hotel staffers from an upscale resort in western Palawan island. Last Thursday, Arroyo ordered the release of P1 billion ($19.6 million) to recruit more civilian volunteers into the local militia to combat Abu Sayyaf attacks on Christians in the predominantly-Muslim island.

The hostage rescue also occurred after Arroyo ordered top-level investigations into allegations that Basilan-based Army officials are colluding with the Abu Sayyaf rebels.