ABS-CBN journalist Ces Drilon, cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion and Prof. Octavio Dimaampo have been freed Tuesday night, according to ABS-CBN and GMA news reports.

UPDATE: Inquirer reports that Sen. Loren Legarda had been involved in the negotiations for their release for the past five days “at the request of Drilon’s family and ABS-CBN”.

Read the official statement of ABS-CBN here.

Our best wishes to the four who survived this terrible experience and to their families as well. It was truly difficult to listen to the pleas of their helpless relatives, which were broadcast repeatedly by AM radio stations.

What’s next? Let’s see how the government will see to it that those who violated the law are held accountable.