President Jokowi Rejects Ransom Offer

President Jokowi responds to reporters’ questions at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday (26/4)

Regarding 14 Indonesian nationals held hostage by a militant group in the Philippines, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo said that he always follows its development.

The President also said that communication with the Philippine Government and the perpetrators is still being held and the problem is expected to be solved immediately.

“We certainly want them to release the hostages, but we must realize that the incident happened in other country. We must obtain permits to enter their territory or to assign Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) there,” President Jokowi said to the reporters at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday (26/4) afternoon.

President Jokowi also reminded that the Philippine Government must also obtain approval from the parliament and this, the President added, puts Indonesia at disadvantages.  Therefore, the President said, the Indonesian Government continues to communicate with the Philippine  Government through any network that the Government has.

“Up until now, the hostages are in good condition,” President Jokowi firmly said.

Asked about the possibility to pay ransom demanded by the militant group, President Jokowi asserted that Indonesia would never compromise with such a thing.

“It is nothing to do with ransom,” the President added.

The President went on to say that the Indonesian Government will invite Malaysian Commander and Malaysian Foreign Minister as well as with the Philippine Commander and with the Philippine Foreign Minister to meet in Jakarta this week.

“We will meet them here and we will establish joint patrols to ensure that the region is really in a safe condition,” the President said.

However, the President reminded all that it would not be easy and asked related sides not to underestimate it because the location is surrounded by the Philippine Army.

“We know that the hostages was moved to another place yesterday. The location of hostages keeps moving from one place to another also put us at disadvantages. However, Insya Allah, we will solve this problem immediately,” the President concluded. (DNS/ES) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)