Gov't to Focus on Securing Seas Following Hostage Release
20 September 2016 11:36 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto said that the government will continue to focus on efforts to free Indonesians who are being held hostage in south Philippines. At the same time the ministry has been preparing for maritime security procedures in the Indonesian, Malaysian and the Philippine waters.
"It will soon [be concluded], but not yet, maritime operations [still attempts] to free the hostages," Wiranto told reporters at his office in Jakarta on Monday, September 19, 2016.
According to Wiranto, the government still needs to repatriate the three Indonesians who recently have been released, namely Emmanuel, Lorens Koten and Theodorus Kopong, back to their hometown.
They worked at a Malaysian-flagged boat and was abducted on July 8, 2016 in Lahad Datu waters, Sabah, Malaysia. "They are safe, back to their family, that’s the priority. Whereas [maritime operations] are related to prevention measures," Wiranto said.
The government, according to Wiranto, still needs to rescue other Indonesians kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf group in the Sulu. However, Wiranto confirmed that the government has taken steps to prevent more attacks from pirates. "We have banned [ships] from entering the dangerous zone," Wiranto stated.
YOHANES PASKALIS