Andrea Cianferoni, program director of an Italian non-government organization, was "recovered" unharmed by the military Wednesday morning. (Xinhua/AFP photo)

    MANILA, Nov. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- The Philippine military and the released Italian hostage himself Wednesday confirmed that no ransom was paid for the release in the southern Philippine province of Lanao del Norte.

    Andrea Cianferoni, program director of an Italian non-government organization, was "recovered" unharmed by the military Wednesday morning, his release was the result of negotiation efforts by the local officials and religious leaders, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Efren Abu told reporters at the presidential palace during President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's interaction hour with local and foreign media.

    "No ransom was paid for the quick release of Cianferoni" Abu added, citing the coordination efforts of the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) with the Philippine military.

    Arroyo also announced the good news of Cianferoni's release, delighted by the quick solving of the incident through coordination efforts of the military, local officials and the MILF.

    Meanwhile, Cianferoni himself told the ABS-CBN news channel that no ransom was paid for his release after the negotiation efforts.

    The military has identified two of the four kidnappers as Acmad Limbo and Ali Maute, who are not MILF members and currently subject of pursuit operations.

    Cianferoni, who has been in the Philippines for three years, and two Filipino companions were taken at gunpoint by four masked men on Tuesday in the town of Kauswagan shortly after a meeting with village officials.

    The Filipinos were quickly freed and reportedly asked to raise 300,000 pesos (5,357 US dollars) for the release of Cianferoni.

    The non-government organization Movimondo, which is funded by donations from the European Union, the Italian government, the United Nations and wealthy benefactors, engages in health care, humanitarian aid, job creation and skills training in poverty-stricken areas. Enditem¡¡