Gunmen of Al- Qaida-linked terrorist Abu Sayyaf group, released two Filipino television crews in the jungle of Jolo island Saturday night, but still kept a Jordanian journalist, Philippine military said Sunday.

The two Filipinos, Rolando Letrero and Ramelito Vela, were freed from the Abu Sayyaf camp in Patikul town at around 6 p.m. for still unspecified reason, said Philippine Army Spokesman Randolf Cabangbang.

Police sent them to a hospital for medical check-up and treatment, he added.

As for the whereabouts about the Jordanian journalist, Cabangbang said they had no information about it, as the released victims said they had not seen Atyani a week after they were seized. The police and marines were verifying the fate of the Jordanian captive.

Jordanian broadcast journalist Baker Atyani and two Filipino companions declared "missing" in Jolo, Sulu since June 13 of last year. An Abu Sayyaf Group leader later claimed to have in custody the three victims.

The 380-strong Abu Sayyaf group (ASG), founded in the early 1990s, is a violent Muslim terrorist group operating in the southern Philippines. The ASG engages in kidnappings for ransom, bombings, beheadings, assassinations, and extortion. The group's stated goal is to promote an independent Islamic state in western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, areas in the southern Philippines. Endi

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