Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the release of Malaysian nationals kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf terror group was made with the cooperation between the Malaysian and the Philippine governments.

He said continuous efforts by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), the Foreign Ministry and other quarters, including 1Malaysia Putra Club (KP1M) had yielded results with the return of two of the kidnap victims last night.

"We are grateful because two Malaysian nationals who were kidnapped for eight months are now back in the country and have been reunited with their family members today. Thank you to all those involved in the rescue efforts.

"As for three other Malaysian nationals still there, we are working with all quarters, including the Philippine government, to bring them home. Hope they will be patient," Najib told this reporters at his residence at Jalan Duta today.

Two of the five Malaysian nationals who were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the Philippines in July last year were rescued by Filipino security forces in an operation in the south of the republic last Thursday.

The two kidnap victims -- Tayudin Anjut, 46, and Abdul Rahim Summas, 63 --arrived at the KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang last night and were brought to the Prime Minister's residence, where they were also reunited with their families about 8 am today.

The Prime Minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, was also present at the meeting, during which they two kidnap victims related their ordeal, including the bad treatment by their kidnappers.

Najib said Tayudin and Abdul Rahim would be send to Selayang Hospital where they would be attended to by specialists.

"Tayudin has sight problem and cannot walk, as well as urinary problem, and also is Abdul Rahim, who also has high blood.

"Insya Allah, we hope they will recover," he added.

Najib also said no ransom was paid for the release of the two Malaysians.

"They (kidnap victims) were always on our mind with efforts continuously made by the government to save them," he said.

Also present at the prime minister's residence to welcome home Tayudin and Abdul Rahim was KP1M president Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.

Meanwhile, at about 9.30 am today, ESSCom Commander Datuk DCP Wan Abd Bari Wan Abd Khalid confirmed that the remaining three Malaysian nationals who were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the Dent Haven waters in Lahad Datu on July 18 last year had been saved by Filipino security forces.

He said the three kidnap victims -- Fandy Bakran, 27, Mohd Jumadil Rahim, 24, and Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 33, -- were rescued in an operation in waters off Sulu last night.

-- BERNAMA