KARUNA SHINSHO, CNN ANCHOR: Abu Sayyaf militants have released two hostages in the southern Philippines. The captives were picked up by the military and reunited with their families. One of the hostages delivered a message to the government from the kidnappers. Maria Ressa has details.</s>MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A little more an month ago, 15-year-old Elaine Chao (ph) and 32-year-old Louise Maltesa (ph) III were at this tropical resort when members of the Abu Sayyaf raided their cottages and kidnapped them and 18 others. On Tuesday, Chao and Maltesa were freed by their captors.</s>GEN. DIOMEDIO VILLANUEVA, CHIEF OF STAFF: They were intercepted by the troops and they were brought to the camp (ph), as far as participation is concerned.</s>RESSA: Before boarding plane to Manila, Maltesa read a letter over the radio from his captors, threatening more kidnapping and attacks against American and European citizens. Among the Abu Sayyaf's demands: the withdrawal of all U.S. and European businesses from the Middle East, and the withdrawal of support for Israel. They Abu Sayyaf has made grandiose demands in the past, but in the end, the hostages were freed for ransom. Three Americans are among the hostages. The kidnappers say they beheaded 40-year-old Bejemo (ph) Sobero, but his body has not bound found. Christian missionaries Martin and Grasha Burnham (ph( remain in captivity.</s>MICHAEL MALINOWSKI, U.S. EMBASSY: We of course call on the Abu Sayyaf group to release these hostage immediately. Let them come back. Let them be returned to their family.</s>RESSA: Although the Philippine government maintains its no-ransom stance, it concedes, it can't stop relatives from negotiating for the release of their love ones. Maria Ressa, CNN, Manila.
Abu Sayyaf Militants Release Two Hostages