Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Thursday said the recovery of Jordanian journalist Baker Atyani, from the clutches of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), is very good news as it reduces the number of captives held by the brigands to only 17.
Prior Atyani's retrieval, the bandits held around 18 hostages.
"His release (Atyani) is very good news," Gazmin stressed.
And while still to read the official report concerning the Jordanian's release, Gazmin said no ransom was paid.
He added his standing orders to field forces in Basilan and Sulu -- to ensure the safe and successful rescue of the remaining captives.
Col. Jose Johriel Cenabre, 2nd Marine Brigade commander, said they retrieved the Jordanian around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The Al Arabiya News correspondent is now undergoing debriefing with security forces.
Atyani was abducted by the ASG together with two Filipino crewmen, who were earlier freed by the bandits, in June 2012 in Patikul town, Sulu.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=594151
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