The two German nationals held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf were released Friday evening, October 17.
Stefan Okonek and Henrike Dielen were kidnapped in their yacht at sea last April by the Abu Sayyaf and were taken to Jolo.
The Abu Sayyaf demanded P250 million ransom and the withdrawal of German support to the US-led coalition against the Islamic State. The group threatened to behead the hostages if their demands were not met by 3 p.m. last Friday.
According to a report of ABS-CBN News, Abu Sayyaf spokesperson Abu Rami said in a phone interview with a local radio station in Zamboanga City that ransom was paid in full for the release of the two.
Okonek and Dielen were flown to Manila Saturday morning and are now in the custody of the German Embassy in Manila.
