Indonesia`s Defence Minister Praises Philippines` Duterte
23 August 2016 15:50 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Defense Minister, Ryamizard Ryacudu, has praised the Philippines for assaulting Abu Sayyaf militant group. The group has caused a reign of terror in the Southern Sea of Philippines.
"They have raided Abu Sayyaf's underground compounding in Basilan, the Philippines, yesterday," Ryamizard said Tuesday, August 23, 2016.
He added that the Army are targeting Abu Sayyaf's based in Jolo Island, Sulu Waters. "The militants are around 300 people, about 100 of which have been killed." Ryamizard said there is a total of 115 to 120 Abu Sayyaf members who were being "cleaned " by the Philippine government.
Ryamizard praised the newly elected Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. "He has deployed over 10,000 troops," he said.
Meanwhile, there is no recent update on the remaining Indonesian hostages at the hand of the militants. Two of some hostages have managed to escape the group's captivity on August 17. The two, M. Sofyan and Ismail, are currently taken care by the Philippine government.
YOHANES PASKALIS