MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) Seven laborers in Basilan province alleged that fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were the ones behind their, a military spokesperson claimed Tuesday.

Mau Ponce, Robert Ponce, Wagner Toledo, Tomas de Leon, Albert Manolis, Aldrake Kasiri and Alfred Layam, who were seized from Muhamad Adjul town on December 3, were released Monday night, after P200,000 was turned over to the rebels, Lamitan Mayor Roderick Furigay told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net) on Tuesday.

The mayor said the money paid for the release of Albert Manolis, Tomas de Leon, Wagnerson Toledo, Joebert Natividad, Alfred Layam, Fappy Ragmak and Rodel Fernando, was considered "board and lodging fee." It was not clear where the money had come from.

Commodore Alex Pama, commander of Navy Forces Mindanao based in Basilan, said it was Furigay paid for the "board and lodging" of the victims.

Fernando said they were told that the MILF decided to take them in because their employer, Asbi Alki, of Bulanting village, had a rift with the rebels.

De Leon said the rebels warned them against returning to Basilan.

"If we come back, they will kill us," he said.

But the freed hostages said they were never maltreated in captivity.

Local officials, including Furigay, facilitated the release of the laborers through negotiations. Alki was earlier reported to have helped in the negotiations.