TEMPO.CO, Pangkalpinang - The National Army (TNI) Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo said that the government will soon carried out a specific type of diplomacy to rescue 14 Indonesians held hostage by terrorist group Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines. However, he did not specify the form of diplomacy to be carried out.

“Just wait. Diplomacy to free the hostages. But we certainly will not pay the ransom because we and the Philippine government have agreed [not to pay],” Gatot told reporters on Wednesday in Pangkalpinang.

Gatot said that despite the agreement not to meet Abu Sayyaf’s demand, President Jokowi has stated that hostage safety is his top priority. “Diplomatic efforts are carried out by gathering intelligence information from the TNI, Police and the Philippine government. We have been working closely with many parties,” Gatot said said.

According to Gatot, TNI troops will be deployed in the nearest borders and will be ready for the next instructions. “They are ready but we have to adhere to the regulations in the Philippines. Indeed, Philippine law forbids foreign troops from entering their territory. In the mean time, we have to wait and see,” he said.

Abu Sayyaf group are allegedly responsible for the hostage of tugboat Henry and barge Cristi in Malaysian and the Philippines maritime boundary. Last month, the group demanded 50 million peso ransom (Rp14.3 billion) for the release of the ten Indonesians. Indonesian government has refused to pay the ransom.

SERVIO MARANDA