ZAMBOANGA, Philippine - Two gunmen implicated in the kidnapping of 21 Western, Malaysian and Filipino hostages from resorts in Malaysia in 2000 have been arrested, the Philippine military said today.

The two men were arrested on Tuesday in an island off the coast of the Abu Sayyaf stronghold of Basilan island, south of this city, military spokesman Colonel Daniel Lucero said.

An informer led the military to the men whose identities are being withheld pending interrogation, the military said.