TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi unite 10 Indonesian crews that were held hostage by Abu Sayyaf armed group back to their families on Monday, May 2, 2016. Minister Retno said that the hostages have been administered to health examinations before being united with their families.
"[The hostages] are in good health," Retno said on Monday, May 2, 2016.
Retno also thanked families of the hostages for waiting patiently and trusted the government to release their captured relatives.
Retno explained that hostage rescue effort was focused on diplomatic efforts by the Indonesian government. "Since we got word about the hostage situation, we started working on March 28, 2016, and even coordinated with the Filipino government on April 1, 2016, based on President Joko Widodo's instruction," Retno said.
ABDUL AZIS