The three Malaysians - Mohammad Noor Solaiman Bin Abdullah, Joseph Jopnkinoh, and Ken Wee Chung - had been recovered by the military after a brief firefight with the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib "Commander Robot" Andang.

Mr. Estrada arrived here Thursday morning from Cebu City for the second leg of his two-day trip to the Visayas and Mindanao. He was on his way to Kidapawan City in North Cotabato to attend a multi-sectoral meeting and receive members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who have returned to the fold of the law.

Today's development brought to 17 the number of captives who have been rescued by the military since President Estrada ordered rescue and offensive operations against the Abu Sayyaf last Sept. 16.

Only American Jeffrey Schilling and Filipino Roland Ullah, who was among those abducted from the Sipadan resort in Sabah, remain in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf who have been on the run since the military launched its attack.

Gen. Angelo Reyes, AFP chief of staff, said not one of the Malaysians was wounded in the rescue operation.

Sabah Chief Minister Osu Sukam was earlier reported to have expressed in Kuala Lumpur his government's gratitude to the Estrada government for rescuing its three citizens, stressing that Malaysia had "always believed in Manila's ability to free the hostages."

At the turnover ceremonies at the airport here, Arshad said his government was also grateful to the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the successful rescue of their nationals who were abducted from Pandanan island resort last Sept. 10.

While the Sipadan and Pandanan hostage incidents were unfortunate episodes in the relationship between Malaysia and the Philippines, the ambassador said, he was confidentthat the crisis had brought the two countries even closer together. (Brenda Piquero)

Now in Manila

NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - The three Malaysian hostages who were rescued by government troops from Muslim extremist arrived here yesterday from Davao City where they were presented to President Joseph Estrada during the visit of the Chief Executive in Visayas and Mindanao.

Dive resort manager Mohammad Noor Sulaiman, 43, divemaster Joseph Ongkinoh, 40, and contractor Kai Wen Chong, 35, had spent 46 days in captivity in Jolo's rugged terrain. Sulaiman was in crutches and rubber slippers but nonetheless looked rested.

Estrada yesterday handed to Kuala Lumpur over the three hostages and vowed to free the remaining captives soon. Only two hostages remain in Abu Sayyaf hands - Filipino Roland Ullah and American Jeffrey Schilling.

The three Malaysian hostages were accompanied by Malaysian Embassy personnel led by Ambassador Mansoor Hussein Arshad.

Arshad thanked the Philippine government for its unflinching efforts in securing the hostages. He said the positive outcome of the kidnappings was that it strengthened efforts by Malaysian and the Philippines in "combating and preventing such transitional crimes in the future."

"Our troops are constantly watching closely 15 to 16 uninhabited islands," Arshad said. "The Philippine government should also control the people who come out to Malaysia by boat."

"I have no doubt that we have become wiser now, and while there is no guarantees that such incident will not be repeated, the chances of a repeat performance are slim," Arshad said.

The group are scheduled to leave today, Oct. 27, for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Malaysian Airlines flight MH-705. (Ronniel C. de Guzman)

Maganto

Chief Supt. Romeo B. Maganto, Commander, chief of the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Task Force Katapat II, reported yesterday the surrender of 18 more members of the Abu Sayyaf , bringing to 38 the total number to yield to the DILG-TFKII.

Maganto, in a report to Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo S. Lim, said the 18 surrendered to elements of the DILG-TFKII-Task Group Mindanao led by Supt. Idjal Gandawali; Task Group Bravo, 2nd brigade of the Philippine Marines headed by Col. Renato Miranda, and Sulu Provincial Police Office under Provincial Director Supt. Candido Casimiro Jr. The surrender, he said, took place at about 9 a.m. on Oct. 24 at Mahala, Talipao, Sulu.