Muslim Rebels Executed 2 Soldiers, Military Says

Muslim rebels from the Abu Sayyaf group executed two army hostages by firing squad in the southern Philippines, a military spokesman said.

The Abu Sayyaf is holding about 20 hostages--including at least two Americans--on Basilan island, 560 miles south of Manila.

Army spokesman Col. Danilo Servando said the two soldiers were looking for supposed Abu Sayyaf defectors in a southern village in the Sulu archipelago Thursday when they were flagged down at a checkpoint set up by the guerrillas. They were executed by firing squad, and their bodies were recovered by the army.