KOTA KINABALU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The three remaining Malaysians held hostage by Abu Sayyaf for the last eight months were rescued by the Philippine military in Jolo late Sunday (March 26).

Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) commander Datuk Wan Bari Bari Wan Abd Khalid said that the three - Fandy Bakran, 27, Mohd Jumadil Rahim 24, and Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 33 - are currently in the custody of the Philippines military.

"We have been informed of their rescue and they are under the Philippines military," he said but could not give immediate details of the operations that led to the release of the trio.

Two other sailors Abd Rahim Summas, 62, and Tayudin Anjut, 45, were rescued in waters off Jolo and Pata Island last week during Filipino military operations.

The duo have returned to Kuala Lumpur where they are undergoing treatment.

The five were grabbed from the tugboat Serudong 3 in Dent Haven waters off Lahad Datu on July 18.