MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang kept mum on details about the release of a Filipina Red Cross worker from the Abu Sayyaf, so as not to compromise the safety of the two other captives.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, however, maintained that the government was firm in its “no ransom” policy, amid speculation that money changed hands for the release of Mary Jean Lacaba on Thursday evening.

"The less talk muna [for now], the better," Remonde said, adding "Hindi natin muna dapat busisiin. Hayaan natin ang autoridad on the ground [We should not scrutinize this now. Let's leave this to authorities on the ground]."

Remonde said the Palace was "grateful" to those who worked for Lacaba's release – the local crisis committee headed by Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

"They have done a good job. Na-release naman si Lacaba [Lacaba was released]," Remonde said.

Two International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers remain under captivity, Swiss national Andreas Notter and Italian national Eugenio Vagni.