AbuSayyaf Ransom Payment is Ship Company`s Business: Police Chief
7 April 2016 07:40 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti passes the buck to Brahma 12 barge owner over ransom payment of 10 Indonesians being held hostage by Abu Sayyaf group. Bardodin, however, has confirmed that hostage rescue will continue to be pursued by the government through diplomatic channels.
“It’s the [ship] company’s business, not the police; we are not involved in it,” he said at Police Headquarters Jakarta, Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
The rescue efforts through Indonesian military operation to the Philippines is unlikely, according to Badrodin. He hoped that the Philippine government is willing to cooperate fully in addressing the case by prioritizing the safety of the hostages.
“We hope the Philippine [government] can do the best they can. Still, we want to say that hostage safety is the priority,” he said.
Earlier, 10 Indonesians are being held hostage by Abu Sayyaf group in the Philippines waters. The Indonesians are crew members of Brahma 12 barge that carried 209 tons of coal. They had asked for ransom of Rp15 billion.
INGE KLARA SAFITRI
