MARIHATAG — Philippine communist rebels freed two soldiers after four months of captivity Friday as a goodwill gesture prior to a possible resumption of peace talks with the government. Rebel spokesman Jorge Madlos said three more soldiers will be released by January as part of a push to resume the stalled talks, which broke down in 2011 due to disagreements over the release of jailed rebel leaders. The government says it wants to resume talks without conditions. Madlos spoke to journalists at a rebel camp in southern Surigao del Sur province, where the rebels marked the 46th anniversary of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines. Regional military spokesman Maj. Ezra Balagtey confirmed that the two soldiers were released unharmed. – AP
