JOLO, PHILIPPINES:  (FILES) Dated 27 May 2000 file picture shows Al-Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf gunmen guard a mosque in Bandang village, Jolo island where their leaders and group of negotiators meet for the release of 21 Asian and Western hostages.  Jolo, one of the Philippines southernmost islands boasts rich land and marine natural resources but serious peace and order problems have left the island mired in poverty. The Tausogs, the native Muslim tribes who make up the majority have  tradition for fierce martial courage and fondness for weaponry which has helped fuel the frequent explosions of violence in Jolo ranging from Muslim separatist wars, mass kidnapping campaigns, clan feuds and political disputes.   AFP PHOTO    ROMEO GACAD  (Photo credit should read ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images)
What is Abu Sayyaf?
01:07 - Source: CNN

Story highlights

Marites Flor was kidnapped at a resort in September

The Filipina was abducted along with two Canadians and a Norwegian

"They treated us like dogs, like kids," she says

CNN  — 

Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf released a Filipina hostage after nine months in captivity in the Philippines.

The terror group woke up Marites Flor at dawn Friday and dumped her outside the home of a local governor in Sulu, the military told CNN Philippines.

Her release comes after the militants beheaded two Canadian hostages who were captured with her in September at a resort.

Filipina Marites Flor was released by Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants in Jolo, the southern island of Mindanao.

‘Treated us like dogs’

The victims suffered constant abuse at the hands of their kidnappers, Flor said after she was freed.

“They treated us like dogs, like kids. They beat us up when we make mistakes,” she told the media.

One of the two hostages beheaded was her partner, Robert Hall, who was killed after the deadline passed for a ransom payment, the Philippines government said this month. His execution followed that of fellow Canadian John Ridsdel in April.

Ransom demand

Flor, the two men and Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkingstad were seized at a resort off the coast of the southern island of Mindanao.

The three were visiting the resort’s marina on their yacht, and Sekkingstad was the manager of the property. Abu Sayyaf is still holding Sekkingstad.

The militant group had asked for $6.5 million in ransom per hostage to be paid by April 25.