TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Four Indonesians who were abducted by Abu Sayyaf armed group have been returned to their families. They arrived in Indonesia on Saturday, September 24, 2016, accompanied by the Indonesian Foreign Ministry staffs.
"The Indonesians have been returned by Deputy Foreign Minister to their family representatives. It was witnessed by the representatives of East Flores administration," said Muhammad Iqbal, Director for Indonesian Citizens and Legal Entities Protection of the Foreign Ministry in a written statement dated Tuesday, September 27, 2016.
The former hostages are Lorence Lagadoni Koten (34), Teodorus Kopong (42), Emanuel Arakian Maran (46), Herman Manggak. Lorence, Teodorus, and Emanuel were abducted in Lahad Datu waters, Sabah, Malaysia on July 9, 2016, while Herman was fisherman from Bulukumba, South Sulawesi, and was abducted on August 3, 2016.
"The four Indonesians are fishermen who served as crews on board Malaysian-flagged ships," Iqbal said.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto confirmed that the four Indonesians have been sent back home on Monday, September 26, 2016. Wiranto appreciated the Filipino government for playeing a significant role in liberating the hostages with the assistance of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
"They were handed over by the Filipino military to Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu in Zamboanga," Wiranto told Tempo on Monday, September 26, 2016.
YOHANES PASKALIS
