TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Ten sailors who had been held hostage by Abu Sayyaf militia had finally arrived in Indonesia after being released on Sunday noon. They arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, East Jakarta, at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday using Jet Victoria News aircraft.
They were welcomed by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and the National Armed Forces Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo. “All crew members will be taken to hospital for medical examination,” Retno said Sunday, May 1, 2016 before adding that the victims would be returned to their family after the examination.
The abduction of Indonesian crew members by Abu Sayyaf took place at end of March. Ten crew members of Brahma 12 and Anand 12 were abducted in the waters off the southern Philippines. Another hostage situation occurred mid-April when the group kidnapped four Indonesian crew members working for tugboat Henry and barge Cristi.
President Joko Widodo said despite the release of the 10 hostages, the Indonesian government continues to seek release of the other four Indonesian crew members. The government has planned to hold a meeting with Malaysia and the Philippines on May 5 to discuss security situation of maritime boundaries and the surrounding areas.
AHMAD FAIZ
