Think Smart for Released Ten Indonesian Hostages




Think Smart for Released Ten Indonesian Hostages
Dudy Novriansyah
Tuesday, 12 April 2016 − 00:07 WIB

Bayu Oktavianto, one of 10 Indonesian hostages (inzet: Dimas Cokro Pamungkas)
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JAKARTA - Crossfire between the Philippine military with Abu Sayyaf militants a few days ago had alarmed the family of 10 Indonesian crew members. They worry that the hostages were also the victim of attacks.

But, Indonesia goverment tell that 10 Indonesians who are currently being held hostage by Abu Sayyaf are unharmed and in good condition following an intense shootout between the Philippine military and the terrorist group on Basilan Island in the southern Philippines. 

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, from communications with her Philippine counterpart, she has learned that the Indonesian hostages were not on Basilan Island during the nine-hour firefight on Saturday, which resulted in the death of 18 Philippine soldiers and five Abu Sayyaf rebels.

"According to the Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary, Jose Rene Almendras at 8.41 am, 10 Indonesians were not in the Basilan area. At 12 pm., I received further information that the crewmembers were in good condition," Retno told a press briefing in Jakarta, Monday.

Retno reiterated that the Indonesian government would not comply with the Abu Sayyaf's ransom request of Rp 15 billion ($1.1 million) for the release of the hostages, saying "the government is not allowed to do it."

Meanwhile, insistence that Indonesian government proceed with negotiations in a concrete firmly re-voiced.

"The government should be quick and think smart because there are 10 lives at stake. Their lives above all, prioritizing 10 lives and do not feel national pride damaged or feel subject to the terrorists when it had to pay a ransom," said Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Dimas Cokro Pamungkas on Monday.

After the hostage affair will have been completed, the government is also expected to map pathways crime-prone sea in Indonesia. So, that could be a sign prone to transport groove.

"Let no similar incidents. Or for prevention efforts could be strengthened security at vulnerable points," said man who is also Chairman of the Pencak Silat Pagar Nusa.

The 10 Indonesians have been held hostage since March 25 by the Abu Sayyaf group, who has long been notorious for carrying out kidnappings, beheadings, bombings and extortion. The Al Qaeda-linked group has been a major influence on other terror groups in Southeast Asia.

(rnz)