WORLD> Asia-Pacific
Kidnapped Philippine TV reporters freed
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-18 10:36

MANILA  -- Militants in the southern Philippines have freed a well-known television anchorwoman, her cameraman and a university professor after holding them as hostages for nine days to demand a ransom, police said Wednesday.

The three, including the ABS-CBN Corporation's top female anchorwoman Ces Drilon, were released around midnight Tuesday (1600 GMT) in a village of Jolo island by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants, the national police chief Avelino Razon told reporters.

Razon, who flew to the southern city of Zamboanga on Tuesday to oversee the rescue operation, said the captives are in good condition and will be given medical check-ups and proper nutrition before attending police briefings.

Police denied any ransom payment but insisted the release of hostages was the result of "persistent and persuasive efforts" of negotiation.

Drilon and two of her cameramen, together with Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo who served as a local guide, were kidnapped in Sulu on June 8 when they were on the way to interview an Abu Sayyaf top commander.

One of the cameramen Angelo Valderama was freed on last Thursday after reportedly 2 million pesos (US$44,943) were paid. Militants previously demanded another 15 million pesos (US$337,079) in ransom for Drilon and the other two's freedom but police said the demand had been canceled by Tuesday noon.