The military denied allegations that some of its officers have been actually in cahoots with extremist Abu Sayyaf rebels who continue to hold 21 hostages in southern Basilan island.

"It's far-fetched but we will investigate it. It's a very serious accusation so we have to look into the basis of such allegations," said Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan.

Adan was referring to the renewed pronouncements by Cirilo Nacorda parish priest of Lamitan town in Basilan, who reiterated his belief that some military officials are actually supporting the rebel group.

Nacorda said a general ordered army commanders led by a colonel the lifting of a cordon around the Jose Torres Memorial Hospital in Lamitan to allow the rebels to escape at dawn of June 3.

The Abu Sayyaf rebels, led by Abu Sabaya, seized the hospital and Nacorda's church and held more than 200 people hostage, but eventually freed most of them, including kidnapped construction magnate Reghis Romero and a boy named RJ Recio – both were among the 20 holiday makers abducted in Palawan's Dos Palmas resort May 27.

Col. Fredesvindo Covarrubias, commander of the armed forces Civil Relations Group (CRG) also denied Nacorda's accusations, saying it was impossible for the military to freely let the rebels go just like that. "We have to face the reality that the rebels managed to escape through the small door at the back of the hospital leading to the forests," he said.

Covarrubias said more than a dozen soldiers were wounded and a young lieutenant was killed by the enemies during the Lamitan siege, so it is not fair to say the military allowed Abu Sayyaf to escape. We will not sacrifice the lives of the officers and soldiers fighting to protect the civilians,to rescue the hostages.

Nacorda, who was in the St. Peter's Church when militants raided the place, managed to escape and hid on a small room until Abu Sayyaf gunmen escaped the next day. He said the colonel, whom he did not identify, was tightening the ring of soldiers and armoured vehicles around the hospital and church when he received a call over his mobile phone.

The colonel then ordered the troops' pulled out and later told Nacorda that a general had counter-manded a strict order to prepare for an assault.