The three Malaysian hostages who were rescued on Sunday night are expected to be brought home soon, says Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din.

He said the victims would be taken to the federal police headquarers in Bukit Aman to fulfil certain documentation requirements and other procedures before they were reunited with their families.

"We still do not have any specific date when they will be brought to Malaysia but we believe it will be soon," he added.

Ramli was speaking to reporters after a Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department (JPJKK) gathering which was also attended by the Sabah Contingent Police Volunteer Reserve (SSPDRM) here today.

Also present was Bukit Aman JPJKK director Datuk Rusli Ahmad.

In the 11.30pm incident on Sunday, the victims, Jumadil Rahim, 24, Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 33, and Fandy Bakran, 27, were rescued by the Philippine security forces during an operation at Poblacion Punay in Panglima Estino, Philippines.

Yesterday, two kidnap victims, Abdul Rahim Summas, 62, and Tayudin Anjut, 45, who were rescued last Thursday, arrived in Malaysia.

On July 18 last year, five Malaysians were abducted by gunmen while their tugboat was found stranded with the engine still running in the waters off Dent Haven, Tambisan, Lahad Datu.

Meanwhile, Ramli said following continuuous operations carried out by the Philippine security forces, the police stepped up security patrols in the hunt for the remnants of the Abu Sayyaf group which had likely fled to seek refuge in Sabah.

"The operations conducted by the Philippine security forces are positive signs in the fight against transnational crime, including kidnapping in the (territorial) waters of both countries," he said.

-- BERNAMA