MANILA, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Muslim separatists in the southern Philippines are holding Manila's military chief, the head of the government's truce panel, a colonel and an undetermined number of soldiers hostage, senior military sources said on Saturday.

Members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were refusing to let Brigadier-General Ben Dolorfino, commander of military forces in the capital, and Ramon Santos, an undersecretary of the peace process with the MNLF, leave their camp on Jolo island, 600 miles (950 km) south of Manila, until their jailed founder was released.

Dolorfino, who had flown to Jolo for talks with the MNLF, told reporters via a text message that he was safe. A military spokesman declined to comment.

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