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MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine officials say Abu Sayyaf extremists have freed a Filipino woman who was with two Canadian hostages beheaded by the militants after failing to get a huge ransom. Police Superintendent Junpikar Sitin says Marites Flor was abandoned by the gunmen in front of the house of Sulu provincial Gov. Abdusakur Tan before dawn Friday. She was later turned over to the military for medical checkup. Flor was abducted with two Canadians, John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad by the ransom-seeking militants from a resort on southern Samal island in September last year. Sekkingstad remains in captivity. Flor could provide insights into the moments before Ridsdel was beheaded by the militants in April, followed by Hall last week.

Beheaded Canadian hostages' Filipino woman companion freed