No ransom paid in release of coast guards - Official

From the Zamboanga Today (Aug 22): No ransom paid in release of coast guards - Official

A top Coast Guard official has denied that ransom was paid in exchange for the release of two Coast Guard personnel in Sulu province last Wednesday.

The statement came after the arrival of Coast Guard personnel SN Rod Pagaling and SN2 Gringo Villarluz at the Western Mindanao Command's Philippine Navy for Western Mindanao Headquarters Majini Pier from Sulu.

Pagaling and Villaruz arrived via a Coast Guard vessel at around 8pm Wednesday, a day after they were reportedly rescued by government troopers from the Abu Sayyaf in Indanan, Sulu.

"Definitely, categorically there is no ransom paid to the captors," said Coast Guard NCR District Commander Joel Garcia during the press conference that followed the arrival.

Garcia however said that a special group known as "Task Force Sagip" was organized for the purpose of negotiating the release of the victims. 

In a separate statement, kidnap victim Pagaling confirmed that they were able to escape from their captors when Scout Rangers stormed the Abu Sayyaf lair where they were being kept.
Four Abu Sayyaf members were immediately killed during the attack by the Scout Rangers.

The two victims were able to escape while the Abu Sayyaf, including their guards engaged the military troopers in a firefight.

Pagaling and Villaruz were brought to Manila where they were reunited with their family and presented to Coast Guard top officials.

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/20851-no-ransom-paid-in-release-of-coast-guards-official.html