TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia Armed Forces Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, said that the location of seven Indonesians held hostage in the Philippines continues to change. "[The hostages] are in Jolo [Sulu Island], but they never stay in one place for a while," said Gatot.
Nevertheless, Gatot ensured that all of the hostages are well and that the Indonesian government is currently negotiating for their release.
The Indonesians, working as crews of the Charles 001 ship, were captured by pirates on June 21 by the Abu Sayyaf militia.
Gatot added that Indonesia cannot launch a military operation to help release the hostages because there is no greenlight from the Filipino government. "We need to have an agreement. Without it, we can be considered violating [Philippine's sovereignty]," said Gatot.
YOHANES PASKALIS