Muslim guerrillas holding more than two dozen hostages freed three of their captives Saturday.
The Filipinos who were freed, including a Muslim cleric whom the military earlier said had been beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, were taken to a nearby airport and put on a jet bound for the capital, Manila.
They were identified as Francis Ganzon, 50; Kimberly Jao, 13, and Mohaimin Sahi, the cleric.
Unconfirmed reports said the families of Ganzon and the child had paid large ransoms.
“I’m happy I’ll be seeing my family again,” Ganzon said. “It was a near-death experience. Nightmarish. This has to end.”
The releases came amid reports the army was preparing a large-scale assault on the Abu Sayyaf, whose hostages include three Americans, on the southern jungle island of Basilan.
Ganzon had no word on Guillermo Sobero of Corona, Calif., who a rebel leader claimed to have beheaded Tuesday. No trace of his body has been found, fueling hopes that he may still be alive.
