Jeffrey Schilling, the American hostage rescued from a Muslim rebel camp in the southern Philippines last Thursday, leaves for the U.S. today and will be reunited with his mother, Carol, in Oakland, California Saturday (the Philippines is a day ahead of the U.S.), a presidential source said.

Schilling and several U.S. Embassy officials were aboard a C-130 Air Force plane when they left Baguio, a northern summer capital Saturday morning. The rescued American was presented to President Gloria Arroyo in Baguio's Mansion House Friday afternoon. He spent the night at the Philippine Military Academy where he also underwent several medical check-ups and de-briefing.

In a radio interview Schilling's mother said :"I am looking forward to being reunited with my gentle giant. I love him and I want to give him lots of hugs. He's looking forward to spending time with friends and family" .

U.S. Embassy officials refused to give details of his flight for reasons of privacy and security. U.S. Embassy spokesman, Philip Ives, even volunteered the information: "He's here (in Manila) for the next day or two."

"He will talk about it in time," said Ives when asked why Schilling did not talk about his captivity in Jolo by Abu Sayyaf leader, Khadafy Janjalani, the younger brother of the group's slain founder, Abdurajak Janjalani.

For Schilling's rescue, 5,000 soldiers who belong to Task Force Comet, launched a commando type of attack against the Abu Sayyaf group in Luuk Town, 55 km south-east of Jolo town Wednesday night, military sources said.

Despite a two-hour battle between the Abu Sayyaf and the government's ground troops from 12 noon to three Thursday afternoon, Schilling escaped unscathed. Government sources denied that ransom money was paid for Schilling's release. "The president was jumping on the 16th hole of the golf course (in Baguio) when she heard the news (of Schilling's release).