The Philippine government said it had no information to suggest that any of the hostages kidnapped by Muslim rebels were killed or wounded in a gunfight between the guerrillas and troops today.
"There has not been any report of civilian casualties," chief government spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao told a news conference.
A rebel spokesman said in a call to a radio station that at least two hostages had been killed in the fighting on Basilan island, about 900 km (550 miles) south of Manila.
The Abu Sayyaf kidnapped three Americans and 17 Filipinos from a beach resort on Sunday. The rebel spokesman said 10 more people, mostly fishermen, had been abducted since then.
The military said at least one of its officers has been wounded in the fighting.
