Manila, Oct 17 (IANS): The Islamist Abu Sayyaf rebel group Friday freed two German hostages it was holding for ransom.
Viktor Stefan Okonek, 71, and Herite Dieter, 55, were captured by the Abu Sayyaf in Palawan last April while en route to Sabah, Philippines media reported.
According to official reports, the couple was freed by the rebel group on receiving 250 million-peso (around $5.5 million) ransom.
Okonek and Dielen were freed in Patikul town in Sulu province.
Earlier in the day, the group had threatened to kill Okonek if the ransom demand was not paid.
A video released Wednesday showed Okonek being held in a hole in the ground, which he had been told would be his grave if the ransom was not paid.