Govt Taking Measures to Release 10 Indonesians Held by Filipino Militant Group
Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung speaks to reporters
The Indonesian Government is coordinating with related sides to release 10 Indonesian sailors who are being held by a militant group in the Philippines and to arrest the perpetrators immediately because they committed crime in the territory the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
Minister of Foreign Affairs is now collecting relevant data and the Government has coordinated with the Indonesian National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian National Defense Force (TNI) to assist the Ministry to immediately release the sailors, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said to reporters after the launching of Integrity Zone at Cabinet Secretariat Office, in Jakarta, on Tuesday (29/3) afternoon.
Pramono explained that considering the motive behind the hostage is money, it can be assumed that it is a robbery.
They asked for ransom and there is a possibility that the money will be used for their needs or to fund the militant group. That is what we are studying carefully, Pramono said, adding that the Government is trying to contact the group.
We are taking measures (to release them) and we will inform you once we have the results, Pramono said.
Commenting on the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf militant group that was allegedly behind the hostage, Pramono said that it is still a speculation.
The most important thing is we are now coordinating to send troops to release the hostages, he said.
For the record, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (29/3) confirmed that two Indonesia-flagged vessels, Brahma 12 and Anand 12, were hijacked on Monday (28/3) allegedly by Philippines militant group Abu Sayyaf.
We have received information from several parties saying it is confirmed that two Indonesia-flagged vessels, Brahma 12 and Anand 12 carrying 10 Indonesian crew members were hijacked at waters near the Philippines, said spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha Nasir in his short message on Tuesday (29/3).
Tugboat Brahma 12, Arrmanatha said, has been released and currently is under the Philippines authority, while, Tugboat Anand 12 along with 10 Indonesian crew members is still taken hostage by a group which claimed to be the Abu Sayyaf Group. (DND/AGG/ES)(RAS/EP//YM/Naster)
