ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits released Tuesday three teachers they kidnapped last January 23 in this southern port city, officials said.

Janette Delos Reyes, Rafael Mayonado and Quizon Frierez were freed around 11:40 a.m. Tuesday at Sitio Binahan, Barangay Candiis in Mohamad, Basilan.

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Vice Governor Alrasheed Sakkalahul, who chairs the Basilan Crisis Management Committee (CMC), said no ransom or "board or lodging" fee was given to the kidnappers in exchange for the teachers' release.

Sakkalahul said the kidnappers decided to release the victims after he and two Muslim religious leaders talked and convinced Monday the bandits to let the hostages go without monetary consideration.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) spokesman Eid Kabalu said the teachers will be brought to Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao at Camp Kawa-Kawa in this city.

Reports said the MILF has also helped in the negotiation process for the safe release of the three teachers.

Delos Reyes, Mayonado and Frierez -- all from Landang Gua Elementary School -- were kidnapped in the morning of January 23 while traveling from Sacol Island to mainland Zamboanga City.

The kidnappers initially demanded the ransom of P6 million, which was lowered to P4 million, to P3 million and lately to P2.5 million.

Sakkalahul said the teachers were picked up by an emissary at the release site and handed them over to members of the Regional Mobile Group-9 (RMG-9).

Delos Reyes said they were surprised the kidnappers told them Tuesday morning to pack up and go.

The three teachers said in a press conference Tuesday afternoon that they are happy they are now united with their respective families.

They described their situation while in captivity as difficult, citing there were times that they only ate once a day and forced to sleep in a makeshift hut.

The released teachers said they were made as house helpers as the bandits forced them to fetch water daily and do other household chores.

Delos Reyes admitted there was a time the kidnappers did not allow her to sleep as punishment for her failure to comply with her task.

Malacañang, meanwhile, is grateful for the release of the three teachers. It is, however, hoping that the two foreign nationals and other captives who remain in the hands of the terrorist group would likewise be freed soon.

"The Palace is extremely pleased. Our government and the military have worked long and hard for their release. We congratulate and thank our local leaders, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and everyone who has helped secure their release. The government, the local crisis committee, and the military continue together for the safe release of the remaining hostages," said deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo.

Fajardo was referring to Italian Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni, who was abducted in Jolo last January 15, and Sri Lankan Omar Jameel, who was snatched in Basilan last February 13.

Apart from the two, also taken hostage were teachers Jocelyn Enriquez, Jocelyn Inion, and Naime Mande from Zamboanga Sibugay. They were abducted last March 13.

The release of Delos Reyes, Mayonado and Frierez has reduced the number of hostages in Basilan province to four.

The remaining captives included a Sri Lankan peace advocate, two fishermen from Zamboanga del Sur, and a lending firm coordinator of Maluso, Basilan. (Bong Garcia/Jill Beltran/JMR/Sunnex)