Posted at 02/03/2013 9:09 AM | Updated as of 02/03/2013 1:49 PM
MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) - The Abu Sayyaf released the two Filipino cameramen of Jordanian journalist Baker Abdulla Atyani Saturday evening in Sulu.
Col. Antonio Freyra of the Sulu Police and Senior. Supt. Renato Gumban, director of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), confirmed that the two Filipinos were set free by the Abu Sayyaf around 6 p.m. Saturday.
The two Filipino captives, identified as Ramelito Vela and Rolando Letrero, were left by the Abu Sayyaf along a road in Patikul, Sulu. They rode a tricycle to the port, where they stayed overnight in a hotel.
ARMM police regional director Chief Supt. Noel delos Reyes told DZMM that they received a call from the wife of Letrero around 10 p.m. Saturday, who said that she had received a call from her husband.
The AKG and the Sulu Provincial Police Office found the two cameramen, who worked for Al Arabiya TV network, in the hotel.
ABS-CBN News correspondent Nickee Butlangan reported that the two men are now confined at the Sulu Provincial Hospital where they are undergoing medical exams.
They will be brought out of the province as soon as possible.
Vela said they have no knowledge of Atyani’s whereabouts since they were separated from each other five days after being abducted.
Delos Reyes also told AFP there was "no word" on the fate or exact whereabouts of the Jordanian journalist.
Delos Reyes said the exact circumstances of how the two were freed remained unclear, but denied that a ransom had been paid.
The two travelled with Atyani to Jolo island in June of last year, but went missing a day after they arrived.
Police on Jolo said the three had been held by the Abu Sayyaf, a gang of self-styled militants blamed for the country's worst terrorist attacks as well as other kidnappings of foreigners.
US special forces have been rotating in the southern Philippine for over a decade to train local troops in crushing the Al Qaeda-linked group which is on Washington's list of wanted foreign terrorist organizations.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/03/13/jordanian-journalists-filipino-companions-released
Col. Antonio Freyra of the Sulu Police and Senior. Supt. Renato Gumban, director of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), confirmed that the two Filipinos were set free by the Abu Sayyaf around 6 p.m. Saturday.
The two Filipino captives, identified as Ramelito Vela and Rolando Letrero, were left by the Abu Sayyaf along a road in Patikul, Sulu. They rode a tricycle to the port, where they stayed overnight in a hotel.
ARMM police regional director Chief Supt. Noel delos Reyes told DZMM that they received a call from the wife of Letrero around 10 p.m. Saturday, who said that she had received a call from her husband.
The AKG and the Sulu Provincial Police Office found the two cameramen, who worked for Al Arabiya TV network, in the hotel.
ABS-CBN News correspondent Nickee Butlangan reported that the two men are now confined at the Sulu Provincial Hospital where they are undergoing medical exams.
They will be brought out of the province as soon as possible.
Vela said they have no knowledge of Atyani’s whereabouts since they were separated from each other five days after being abducted.
Delos Reyes also told AFP there was "no word" on the fate or exact whereabouts of the Jordanian journalist.
Delos Reyes said the exact circumstances of how the two were freed remained unclear, but denied that a ransom had been paid.
The two travelled with Atyani to Jolo island in June of last year, but went missing a day after they arrived.
Police on Jolo said the three had been held by the Abu Sayyaf, a gang of self-styled militants blamed for the country's worst terrorist attacks as well as other kidnappings of foreigners.
US special forces have been rotating in the southern Philippine for over a decade to train local troops in crushing the Al Qaeda-linked group which is on Washington's list of wanted foreign terrorist organizations.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/02/03/13/jordanian-journalists-filipino-companions-released
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