The Philippine Army has rescued 13 hostages from the Muslim Abu Sayyaf rebels, who have beheaded 10 captives in the last three days.
An army spokesman said the 13 people they rescued were among a group of 36 who were kidnapped from the town of Balobo on Basilan Island on Thursday.
A separate Abu Sayyaf unit is still holding more than 20 other hostages on another part of Basilan.
The extremist separatist faction has been blamed for beheading 16 people since last June.
Hostage-taking and ransom demands are the group's favoured means of fund-raising.