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2 Filipino television crew seized with Jordanian journalist freed — police


Two TV crew members who disappeared along with a Jordanian journalist last June were "recovered" in Sulu Saturday night, but police could not immediately say if ransom was paid for their release. Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police head Chief Superintendent Noel delos Reyes on Sunday said Ramil Vela and Buboy Letriro are now undergoing debriefing. "Last night they were recovered from a hotel they were staying," Delos Reyes said in an interview on dzBB radio Sunday morning. "I think they will be flown back to Manila," he added but did not say when. He was referring to Vela and Letriro, who disappeared on June 12 last year, along with Jordanian TV reporter Baker Atyani of the Al Arabiya news channel. Delos Reyes did not comment on the status of Atyani. He cited initial reports indicating Vela called up his wife that they were released. His wife then informed the Philippine National Police's Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG). The AKG in turn called up the Sulu police provincial office and confirmed that the two had been released. "The two are now under protective custody of the Sulu provincial police office," Delos Reyes said. For now, he said the two are undergoing debriefing, adding the PNP is cautious in giving information on them due to their ordeal. When asked if ransom was paid, he declined to comment. Good news In Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said President Benigno Aquino III has also been informed of the release of Vela and Letriro. “Magandang balita (ang) natanggap natin, ang dalawang Pilipino na kasamahan ni Baker Atyani na-release at nasa custody ng PNP," she said on government-run dzRB radio. Also she said the government has yet to confirm various pieces of information about Atyani’s whereabouts. “We will leave the operational details to our security forces to share with the public as they deem fit.” Also on Sunday, Sulu police chief Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra said they could not get information from Vela and Letriro on Atyani, radio dzBB’s Divine Caraecle reported. The report quoted Freyra as saying the two were with Atyani for only five days after they were believed abducted by members of the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu. — LBG, GMA News

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