About Military Operation, Jokowi Called Duterte
About Military Operation, Jokowi Called Duterte
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JAKARTA - The government is still ruling out a military operation to free the 10 Indonesians abducted by the Abu Sayyaf group in South Philippines. If Philippine government grants permission, the government is ready to launch a military operation.
"President Jokowi has called the Philippines president and has written a letter," Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan stated after meeting President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (12/7).
He adding that President Rodrigo Duterte had also given his response.
"We will see. It takes time. We still rule out a military operation as it concerns another countrys Constitution that we have to respect certainly," he noted.
The government is contemplating several options in its attempts to free the 10 Indonesian nationals being kidnapped by the separatist group in the neighboring country. Luhut said, refusing to reveal further details on the options.
"Frankly speaking, we have several options on what we are going to do to tackle the hostage crisis as this is not the first instance," he remarked.
Since March this year, Indonesia has faced five 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.
Later, 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 a.m. local time and another at 12:45 p.m. local time in the Sulu Sea while on their way back from the Philippines after delivering coal cargo.
The latest hostage-taking incident occurred on July 9, aboard a Malaysian-flagged trawler LLD113/5/F in the Felda Sahabat waters, Tungku, Lahad Datu, Sabah State, Malaysia.
When the incident happened, the vessel had aboard four Indonesian crew members and three Filipinos of the Bajau Palauh tribe.
Of the vessels seven crew members, three, all Indonesians, were kidnapped, while four others were released.
"President Jokowi has called the Philippines president and has written a letter," Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan stated after meeting President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (12/7).
He adding that President Rodrigo Duterte had also given his response.
"We will see. It takes time. We still rule out a military operation as it concerns another countrys Constitution that we have to respect certainly," he noted.
The government is contemplating several options in its attempts to free the 10 Indonesian nationals being kidnapped by the separatist group in the neighboring country. Luhut said, refusing to reveal further details on the options.
"Frankly speaking, we have several options on what we are going to do to tackle the hostage crisis as this is not the first instance," he remarked.
Since March this year, Indonesia has faced five 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.
Later, 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 a.m. local time and another at 12:45 p.m. local time in the Sulu Sea while on their way back from the Philippines after delivering coal cargo.
The latest hostage-taking incident occurred on July 9, aboard a Malaysian-flagged trawler LLD113/5/F in the Felda Sahabat waters, Tungku, Lahad Datu, Sabah State, Malaysia.
When the incident happened, the vessel had aboard four Indonesian crew members and three Filipinos of the Bajau Palauh tribe.
Of the vessels seven crew members, three, all Indonesians, were kidnapped, while four others were released.
(rnz)
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