The Philippine Online Chronicles

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The government has declared that no ransom was paid for Italian hostage Eugenio Vagni's release.

A reported 50,000 was given to the Abu Sayyaf after Vagni was set free. "I don't think this amount was a substantive violation of our 'no-ransom' policy, if you look at the amount, the timing, the context," said Arroyo's spokesman Gary Olivar. He added that the money "is too small an amount to fit a ransom."

Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Albader Parad's two wives, who were arrested last week, have been turned over to a negotiator. The dropping of criminal cases agaist the two women has not been confirmed.

Pursuit operations to rescue the remaining Abu Sayyaf hostages will continue, said Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo.