2 Philippine coast guards escape from Abu Sayyaf captors

 Philippine government troops on Thursday recovered two Philippine Coast Guard personnel following Wednesday's clash with Abu Sayyaf Group captors in Indanan, south Philippine province of Sulu, which left 15 members of the terrorist group dead.

Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief Noel Detoyato said the two hostages escaped from their captors during the skirmishes.

They were recovered around 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. local time respectively, and were brought to a hospital for prompt medical checkup.

"They were found at the vicinity of barangay Buanza, Indanan, Sulu, near yesterday's encounter site, " said Detoyato of the rescued Coast Guard personnel.

The two were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Group on May 4 in Dapitan City and then brought to the island province of Sulu. Their companion, village chairman Rodolfo Buligao, was beheaded on Aug. 11.