No ransom has been paid to secure the release of the Chinese tourist Gao Huayun and Filipino hotel worker Marcy Dayawan, the leader of the Philippines anti-kidnapping task force in the south Agrimero Cruz confirms.

According the AFP report yesterday, Cruz also said that the Philippine government will be pursuing criminal charges against their abductors, but declined to comment further as it is still negotiating for the release of other kidnap victims.

Cruz’s statement contradicts a Reuters report yesterday that quoted an unnamed Philippine police official that a “large ransom” was paid for the women’s release.