Three Indonesian hostages freed in Philippines

Manila, Oct 2 (IANS) The Abu Sayyaf terrorist group has freed three more Indonesian hostages in southern Philippine province of Sulu, a senior government official said on Sunday.

Presidential Adviser Jesus Dureza said the Indonesian fishermen were turned over by Nur Misuari, founding chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, to Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan II before Sunday noon, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Chairman Misuari personally called and informed me about another breakthrough in the efforts to recover hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf group," he said.

He said that the three freed Indonesians would be turned over to the military.

Dureza said those freed were among those Indonesian fishermen who were abducted in July off Lahad Datu in Sabah.

He said the ongoing military operations helped in pressuring the Abu Sayyaf to release the hostages.

Last month, three other Indonesian fishermen were freed by the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Around 10 local and foreign hostages still remain in the hands of the terrorist group.