Philippine Terrorist Abu Sayyaf Releases Two Indonesian Hostages
7 September 2017 19:24 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Philippine terrorist group Abu Sayyaf today released two Indonesians who had been taken hostage since November 2016. “Two Indonesian hostages named Saparuddin and Syawal have been freed,” Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said in a video today, Sept. 7.
Malaysian-flagged boat crewmembers Saparuddin and Syawal were kidnapped in November when sailing on Lahat Datu waters in Sabah.
Read: Philippines Rescues 2 Malaysians Kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf
They were taken by Abu Sayyaf members who had guns. A relative said that Saparuddin did not resist the kidnapping to avoid being shot.
FM Retno added that the two Indonesians will be repatriated to Indonesia. They will first undergo medical examinations at the Indonesia-Philippines Joint Taskforce Headquarters in Sulu.
“It’s a standard procedure that has to be followed in any release of the hostage,” Retno said.
FM Retno said that the released hostages will be picked up by Indonesian diplomats at the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Samboanga once the medical examination completed.
“KJRI [officials] from Davao (Philippines) will meet both of them before sending them home. More updates will be given tomorrow morning,” she concluded.
ISTMAN MP
