Manila has given approval for Indonesian military forces to enter Philippine territory in efforts to free seven Indonesian sailors taken hostage by two militant groups last week, an Indonesian Cabinet minister said Tuesday.

"They approved us to enter into Philippine waters and land," Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu told reporters, saying that the arrangement was decided on Sunday during his meeting with his Philippine counterpart, Voltaire Gazmin.

The move is possible under a 1975 agreement between the two countries that enables Indonesian forces to hunt terrorists and pirates across the border.