TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that three Indonesians held hostage since early 2017 in the Philippines had been released.

"I can say and confirm that it (reports on the release of the Indonesians) is true," Deputy Foreign Minister A. M. Fachir noted after accompanying President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) while receiving the Senate delegation of the Czech Republic at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday.

Fachir remarked that three Indonesians, held hostage since January 2018, had been released and according to the on-field team, they are in good condition.

"In the next two days, we will make public details on any further developments. We cannot divulge the details yet owing to security concerns," Fachir noted.

Read also: 3 Indonesian Hostages Released by Armed Group in Philippines

The deputy foreign affairs minister emphasized the point that they had been freed.

"We have confirmed that they had been released, and they will be returned back home soon," he stated.

It was earlier reported that three Indonesian nationals, held hostage in the Philippines in early 2018, were finally released. The latest information was delivered by the Philippine police.

According to the police, the three were released on Friday (Sept. 14) with aid of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The rebel group has signed a peace agreement with the Government of the Philippines.

The three were already with the Indonesian ambassadors in the South of Zamboanga City on Sunday, September 16, 2018, as quoted from The Inquirer page.

ANTARA