One gets out

One of three hostages held for over two months by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group on Jolo Island of the Philippines, and the focus of a massive military pursuit that has hounded the band of kidnappers, has been released.

This is a great relief, as the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf have a history of killing hostages. It is also a win for the combined efforts of intercession by the International Committee of the Red Cross / Red Crescent (ICRC), the NGO that the three hostages were a part of, and the Philippines Military, which has used a mixture of measured force and negotiation but not caved in to absurd demands.

May the other two hostages be released or rescued safe... and soon.