Philippine Rebels Free Journalist
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ZAMBOANGA, Philippines — Muslim extremists Thursday released a reporter for a German magazine who was held alone in the jungle for 25 days after he was abducted while covering a group of hostages in the southern Philippines.
Andreas Lorenz, a reporter for Der Spiegel, was among six journalists held by rebels on Jolo island. All were seized while reporting on 21 mostly foreign hostages abducted from a Malaysian diving resort in April by Abu Sayyaf guerrillas.
“It’s the worst ordeal in my life. I will never come back to Jolo,” Lorenz said after being released.
It was not clear whether any ransom was paid.
The Abu Sayyaf has also freed six Malaysians and one German from the original 21 hostages seized from Malaysia’s Sipadan island. About $4.2 million was paid for their release, military officials said.
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