ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP) - Filipino hostages freed by the Abu Sayyaf Muslim rebels today credited a Malaysian politician and a Philippine state agency for their release as the military vowed to rescue the remaining captives, including two Americans.

Maria Fe Rosadeno, one of seven Filipino hostages freed on Thursday, said in an interview with the Radio Mindanao Network: "Our release was mainly due to Malaysian (ex-)senator Sairin Karno and Samsamin Ampatuan who convinced (Abu Sayyaf commander) Abu Sabaya to free us."

Angie Montealegre, another freed hostage, later told a press conference at the military headquarters: "Sabaya told us we would be released to the Philippine OMA (Office of Muslim Affairs)."

However military officers quickly cut her off, preventing her from giving details on the role of the OMA which is headed by Ampatuan.

Instrumental people

Southern Philippines military chief, Lieutenant General Roy Cimatu said their release was the result of military pressure on the Abu Sayyaf in southern island of Basilan.

But he conceded that "some people" were instrumental in the release.

Cimatu would not elaborate, saying, "this could jeopardise an ongoing operation in Basilan."

Seven Filipinos, seized in a kidnapping spree that began in May, were freed yesterday but the Muslim gang held onto an American missionary couple, Martin and Gracia Burnham, and a Filipina midwife, Deborah Yap.

Last year, Karno was instrumental in obtaining the release of the Malaysian captives among 21 foreign and local hostages seized by the Abu Sayyaf from a Malaysian resort and held in the island of Jolo.

Sources have said the Abu Sayyaf were compensated for releasing the hostages in Jolo.

Cimatu said there would be no let up in the operation against the Abu Sayyaf.

President Gloria Arroyo, who is on a working visit to the United States, called him late yesterday to congratulate the military for the recovery of the hostages, who are being flown to Manila to meet with Vice-President Teofisto Guingona.

The Abu Sayyaf, who are notorious for kidnapping Christians and foreigners in the southern Philippines for ransom, have previously killed one American hostage, Peruvian-born Guillermo Sobero and over a dozen Filipino captives.

The two freed hostages, looking stiff and uncomfortable, could give few details about their release, saying that they endured much suffering but eventually befriended their captors.

Rosadeno and Montealegre, who were forcibly converted to Islam during their captivity, still wore their Islamic veils on their heads.

'Stockholm Syndrome'

Cimatu earlier warned that they still suffered from "Stockholm Syndrome," a condition where hostages identify with their captors.

Montealegre, who was seized along with the Americans and 16 other Filipinos from a resort in May, said of her abductors, "we used to consider them enemies but as it got longer, they became friends and we became close to them."

Rosadeno, who was the girlfriend of the slain Sobero, said his death "was painful for me because he was my fiance."

She sobbed as she recalled how Sobero had come to the Philippines to be with her, only to end up beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf.

"All I can say to Gil's (Sobero's) family, parents and friends is that I'm so sorry. I'm sorry that this thing had to happen. I love him very much and it's so painful to me now."

The US government is offering the Philippines increased defense assistance to battle the Abu Sayyaf which has links with Saudi-born dissident Osama bin Laden, the main suspect in the Sept 11 terror attacks in the United States.