MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Al Qaeda-linked militants freed a popular TV news anchor, her cameraman and a university professor late Tuesday, more than a week after snatching them in the volatile southern Philippines, police said.
Hainatul Dinamo, wife of professor Octavio Dinampo, appeals to kidnappers last week.
The kidnappers, identified by police as Abu Sayyaf militants, released ABS-CBN anchor Ces Drilon and the two other captives on Jolo island around 11 p.m. following talks with negotiators, said Director Avelino Razon, the national police chief.
"Ces Drilon, Jimmy Encarnacion and Prof. (Octavio) Dinampo were freed," Razon told GMA television. "They were fetched at a designated place ... and are now in the house of Mayor (Alvarez) Isnaji."
Isnaji, mayor of Indanan township, helped negotiate with the kidnappers, who earlier demanded $337,000 in ransom. Razon said no ransom was paid and the release was a result of the negotiations.
The journalists were being taken to nearby Zamboanga city for medical exams and debriefing before flying to Manila, Razon added.
"We are thankful that our prayers have been answered and our efforts rewarded," said a joint statement by the journalists' families and ABS-CBN.
"We received a great outpouring of support from people all over the world who care for freedom. Their words of comfort and prayers guided and strengthened us throughout this ordeal," the statement said.
The kidnappers had threatened to behead the hostages if the ransom was not paid, one of the negotiators, Jun Isnaji, the mayor's son, told reporters on Jolo. But they postponed a noon deadline and agreed to continue talks, as the journalists' families made several tearful appeals on radio for the hostages to be freed.
He said he told the kidnappers that instead of a ransom they could be given funding for "livelihood projects," without specifying the nature of the projects. He did not say what their reaction was.
National police chief Razon, who met with police and military officials in Zamboanga, said authorities had been ready to launch a rescue operation if negotiations failed, with ground troops and air and naval assets "ready for immediate deployment."
Police identified two of the kidnappers Monday and announced a $11,000 reward for each. On Tuesday, they released artist sketches of the men -- Sulayman Patta and a man named Walid.
ABS-CBN, the country's largest television network, said Monday it was doing everything it could to help the hostages and their families through the ordeal, but insisted it would not pay ransom because it would encourage more abductions.
Drilon, her two cameramen and Mindanao State University Prof. Octavio Dinampo were abducted June 8 on Jolo.
The U.S. lists the Abu Sayyaf as a terrorist group responsible for bombings, beheadings and abductions.
Angelo Valderama, one of the two cameramen kidnapped, was released Thursday. Mayor Isnaji said Valderama was freed after the kidnappers were paid a "minimal amount" for the hostages' food expenses. E-mail to a friend | Mixx it | Share
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