The four Sarawakian sailors held hostage by the Philippine-based militant group Abu Sayyaf have reportedly been released.

According to The Star today, the four returned to Sandakan, Sabah, earlier today.

“Reports from Jolo indicated that Malaysian and Filipino negotiators managed to secure the four’s release from the militant group after several rounds of negotiation,” the report said.

The Star noted that Sabah police chief Abdul Rashid Harun had declined to comment.

The four were Wong Teck Kang, Wong Teck Chii, Johnny Lau, and Wong Hung Sing, who were abducted from a tugboat off Pulau Ligitan, Sabah on April 1.

Abu Sayyaf was previously reported to have demanded a RM18 million ransom for their release.