Indonesia to host regional talks to boost maritime security after kidnapping incident

Military chiefs and foreign ministers from Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia are to meet in Indonesia on May 5 in an effort to step up maritime security as the threat of piracy is escalating in the region, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Sunday.

"A meeting has been scheduled on May 5 among Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. Those who are to meet include the foreign ministers and military commanders from Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia," President Widodo said in a statement issued by the presidential office.

On the release of 10 Indonesian hostages by militant Abu Sayyaf group, President Widodo thanked the government of the Philippines and the many parties in Indonesia who cooperated to free the hostages.

The government was continuing to work to free four other Indonesians who were held hostages by alleged Abu Sayyaf militant group in a separate incident in April, Widodo said in Bogor town of West Java.

The Abu Sayyaf militant group based in the Philippines abducted 10 Indonesian workers from a tugboat and a barge in March in the waters of the Philippines.

Four other Indonesians were held hostage weeks after the incident.

Source: XINHUA