ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The Abu Sayyaf yesterday freed three Indonesians it kidnapped off Sabah, Malaysia early last year, the military said.
The Indonesians were released in a village in Sulu following a series of military assaults, reports said.
The identities of the victims were still being checked, but the military said they were released to the Moro National Liberation Front at about 4 p.m along a road in Barangay Buanza, Indanan town.
There were no further details on the circumstances of the Indonesians' release – whether ransom was paid in exchange for their freedom.
The victims were turned over to former Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan Sr. who handed them over to the Joint Task Force Sulu led by Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo and Sulu Provincial Police Office under Senior Superintendent Pablo Labra II.
The Indonesianswere taken to a military station hospital at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Bus-bus, Jolo for medical checkup.