Manila - Islamic militants released on Friday two marine intelligence officers they held captive for two days on a southern Philippine island, a navy spokesman said.

Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Arevalo said the two hostages were released before dawn in Tipo-Tipo town in Basilan province, 900 kilometres south of Manila, by rogue members who Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who seized them on Tuesday.

The two soldiers went to an MILF-controlled village in Tipo-Tipo to meet with a rebel commander allegedly planning to surrender to the government. But when the two arrived in the village, they were seized by the guerrillas.

"No concessions were made for the release after we turned down the MILF demand for a prisoner swap," Arevalo said. "The released soldiers are doing well. They were not hurt."

Arevalo said the two soldiers have been airlifted to a military headquarters in nearby Zamboanga City where they will undergo medical check-ups.

Peace talks between the MILF and the government have been stalled since December over disagreements on key aspects of a proposed Muslim homeland in the strife-torn Mindanao region. (dpa)