(UPDATE) Abducted filmmaker sisters freed in Sulu after eight months

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Filmmaker sisters were set free in Sulu yesterday after eight months in captivity by suspected members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group, local military said today.

Capt. Ryan Laquesta of the 2nd Marine Brigade based in Jolo, Sulu said that authorities found Nadjoua and Linda Bansil at around 5:00 p.m. local time in Buhanginan village in Patikul town.

The release was made possible through the intensified conduct of law enforcement operation by joint elements from the 2nd Marine Brigade and the local government of Sulu, he said.

The sisters arrived on June 20 last year by a commercial vessel to conduct documentary film "Coffee Armalite", an entry to Cinemalaya Film Festival.

On the following day, they were escorted by a local guide and proceeded to the hinterland of Patikul and started taking films and photos.

On June 22 when the two were about to go back to Jolo they were abducted.