TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu have met with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, discussing the planned operation to release the hostage taken by Abu Sayyaf terrorist group. According to Retno, they discussed ground reports in the meeting.
“Sometimes information on the ground does not match [with the report]. Therefore, it should be checked again,” Retno told reporters at the Presidential Palace complex, Wednesday, June 29, 2016.
Earlier, seven crew members of a boat owned by PT Rusianto Bersaudara had been taken hostage by Abu Sayyaf terrorist network since June 20, 2016. They were kidnapped when sailing through Jolo, the south of the Philippines to transport coal to the Philippines from Samarinda, East Kalimantan.
To date, the condition of the seven hostages is still unknown. The kidnappers have reportedly demanded 20 million ringgit ransom. On the other hand, the Philippines has granted permission for Indonesia to bring the National Armed Forces [TNI] into her territory if needed in hostage release.
Retno said that Ryamizard made a report on the results of his visit to the Philippines. From the visit, Retno went on, Ryamizard has made a report about some agreements to be followed up and signed.
“There are some issues such as the sea corridor, agreement to carry soldiers on ships, etc. I have no competence to explain it, but it’s only need to be signed,” she said.
Separately, Ryamizard said that he made a report on the permission for Indonesian troops to train and make pursuit in the Philippines. The Philippine government has also allowed Indonesian troops to get on shore to release hostages.
“In general, that’s all. However, the locations must still be discussed such as the entry, the route; to guide our vessels,” he said.
The Foreign Minister and the Defense Minister are scheduled to visit the Philippines today. Aside from meeting with newely elected Philippine officials, the meeting will discuss deeper cooperation. “We have to meet regularly indeed,” Ryamizard concluded.
ISTMAN MP