TEMPO.CO, Jakarta -TB Hassanudin, deputy chairman of House of Representatives urged the government to issue a travel advisory for Indonesians wishing to travel and work in Philippines following the hostage situation involving Indonesian crewmen captured by militant group Abu Sayyaf in Philippine waters.
“Travel warning would not be effective, because they’re workers, not tourists. So, [the government] must also issue a travel working [sic!],” Hassanudin, lawmaker from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle said at the Senayan Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on Monday, June 27, 2016.
Hassanudin also called on the Transportation Ministry to set the Philippine waters as hijacking-prone zone and coordinate with Indonesian Military (TNI) for the protection purpose.
When passing the zone, Hassanudin explained, a captain must report the position of his ship from departure to arrival. In addition, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) must prepare fuel to escort vessels.
Earlier, House deputy speaker Fadli Zone called on the government to issue a travel warning following the hostage situation involving seven crew members of Charles tugboat in Philippine waters. The demand was made, since it was not the first time Indonesians being held as hostages in Philippine waters.
“We should not make the same mistake twice,” Fadli added.
Seven crew members of Charles tugboat from Indonesia have been allegedly kidnapped by Philippine militant group Abu Sayyaf. The news came from Megawati Ahmad, wife of one of the crew members named Ismail. The Charles tugboat set sail to Philippine in early June 2016 carrying coal and 13 crew members.
ARKHELAUS WISNU