Latest Indonesian hostage incident cannot be tolerated

 The latest hostage incident, in which three Indonesian fishermen were abducted by an armed group in the maritime border between Malaysia and the Philippines, cannot be tolerated, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi stated.

"This kind of incident cannot be tolerated. Therefore, serious steps must be taken soon, both by the Philippine and Malaysian governments," Marsudi stated here, Monday.

The hostage-taking crisis occurred on July 9 at 11:30 pm local time, aboard a Malaysian-flagged trawler LLD113/5/F in the Felda Sahabat waters, Tungku, Lahad Datu, Sabah State, Malaysia.

Of the vessel's seven crew members, three, all Indonesians, were kidnapped, while four others were released.

The vessel's owner reported the incident to the Lahad Datu Police on July 10. According to information, they were ambushed by five armed men aboard a speed boat, the minister noted. 

The three hostages were reportedly taken to Tawi-tawi, South Philippines.

The ministry has coordinated with the Indonesian embassies in Kuala Lumpur and Manila, as well as the consulates in Tawau and Davao, to closely monitor the developments. 

"This morning, I also communicated with the Philippine and Malaysian foreign ministers to draw their attention to the new case," she remarked.

The Indonesian government is ready to cooperate to secure the early release of the crew members, she affirmed.

"The safety of the hostages is our main priority. After this, there will be a coordination meeting led by the coordinating minister for political, legal, and security affairs to discuss efforts to free the hostages," she pointed out.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan earlier confirmed that three Indonesians had been taken hostage by members of the Abu Sayyaf group.

The Indonesian government had constantly kept itself abreast of the latest developments and had coordinated with its Malaysian counterpart, he noted here, Monday.

The three hostages from East Nusa Tenggara Province are 34-year-old Lorence Koten, 42-year-old Teodorus Kopong, and 40-year-old Emanuel.

Since March this year, Indonesia has faced four hostage incidents mostly in the waters of southern Philippines, with the two earlier crises ending peacefully as 14 Indonesians were released safely.

Ten Indonesian boat crew members were released on May 1 after being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf group since March 26, 2016, while the four others held captive since April 15, 2016, were set free by the same group on May 11.

In the third crisis, seven Indonesian ship crew members of Tugboat Charles 001 and Barge Robby 152 were abducted in two incidents, with the first occurring on June 20, 2016, at 11:30 am local time and another at 12:45 pm local time in the Sulu Sea while on their way back from the Philippines after delivering coal cargo.

Source: ANTARA