Soldiers stormed an Abu Sayyaf hideout in southern Basilan's jungle at dawn yesterday and rescued 13 Filipino hostages. Maj Alberto Gepilano said soldiers raided the rebel camp in Kapayawan village in the outskirts of Basilan's capital Isabela City at 2.30 a.m.

He said an undetermined number of Abu Sayyaf gunmen were killed in the fighting in upper Kapayawan village near the rebel stronghold of Sampinit complex in the outskirts of Basilan's capital Isabela City.

"Troops are still pursuing the terrorists," Gepilano said. Retreating guerrillas also seized and beheaded at least six Christian civilians near the village to thwart troops, the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) reported.

Radio reports identified those rescued as Cezar Ramirez, Trizel Ramirez, Ian Esteban, Leonel Hudain, Raymond Timbangco, Noel Ybanez, Genelyn delos Santos, Jejet delos Santos, Narciso Ramirez, Cely Ramirez and Jay-an Esteban, Jeannete Esteban and Carlo Esteban, all children.

"Troops stormed an area where the terrorists were holed up in the jungle and rescued 13 hostages, including children," Gepilano said.

Gepilano said those rescued were among the dozens of civilians abducted by rebels on August 2 in Lamitan's Balobo village. At least eight hostages escaped from the Abu Sayyaf, but guerrillas beheaded 10 others.

The military identified the decapitated victims as Elmer Natalaray, Etiquiano Cristobal, Alvin Ramirez, Ronald Rojas - their bodies were found on Friday, while the corpses of Alex Ramirez, Lito Esteban, Feliciano Ramonez, Tereso Ramirez, Noel Francisco and Edgardo Rodillas, a village official, had been recovered by policemen the following day.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding 21 other hostages, including those who were kidnapped from an upscale resort in western Palawan island on May 27.