Indonesia Shifts Focus to Seek Release of Four Hostages

Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi greets 10 Indonesian sailors during the hand over ceremony to their family at the Foreign Ministry's office on Monday — Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi greets 10 Indonesian sailors during the hand over ceremony to their family at the Foreign Ministry’s office on Monday

Jakarta, 25 Rajab 1437/03 May 2016 (MINA) – The Indonesian military is engaged in negotiations and intelligence operations to seek the release of four citizens held hostage by the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf terror group, sources said on Monday.

The four Indonesians, whose current location is unknown, were crew members on the TB Henry tugboat and Christi barge when they were kidnapped by militants linked on April 15 in the waters between Malaysia and the Philippines, EFE news reported.

Indonesian Defence Forces (TNI) Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo said the military “will conduct some operations with the coordination of the foreign affairs ministry”, which include informal negotiations and intelligence gathering.

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However, there were no reports of any ransom demands.

Ten other hostages abducted by Abu Sayyaf were released and returned to Jakarta on Sunday. They were kidnapped in March.

The Indonesian government said there was no ransom paid to secure their release. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)