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Indonesia-Philippines leaders' communication key in the release of hostages
Direct communication between President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and his Philippine counterpart Benigno Aquino III was crucial in the release of 10 Indonesian seamen held captive by the Abu Sayyaf militant group, officials said on Monday.
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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. The 10 crew members who were held captive by the Philippines' militant group Abu Sayyaf returned home to Indonesia on Sunday after being held hostage for more than a month. (Antara/Reno Esnir)
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span style="line-height:1.6em">Direct communication between President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and his Philippine counterpart Benigno Aquino III was crucial in the release of 10 Indonesian seamen held captive by the Abu Sayyaf militant group, officials said on Monday.
The government said intensified efforts, both through formal and informal networks, helped in the release of the crews, but the cooperation between the two heads of state made the biggest impact, Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan said.
"[The coordination] was by phone, directly government to government," Luhut told journalists at a press conference at his office on Monday.
Jokowi had thanked the Philippines' government for their support in the rescue of the sailors who had been held hostage by the notorious group since the end of March. Ten sailors returned home to Indonesia on Sunday evening while four other Indonesian citizens remain in captivity.
Some members of Indonesian security authorities also had personal relationships with their counterparts in the Philippines, which helped to ease the rescue process.
The process combined both intelligence operations and the government's total diplomacy efforts, Luhut said, adding that no money was paid to the group as they had previously demanded a US$ 1 million ransom for the abducted sailors.
Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung confirmed that neither the government nor the company that owned the tugboat Brahma 12 paid a ransom.
However, he declined to give further details on why the Abu Sayyaf militants finally agreed to hand over the Indonesian hostages.
The government is now focusing on the release of the four remaining Indonesians who have been held hostage by an alleged Abu Sayyaf splinter group since April 16. Jokowi is continuing his intensive communication with Aquino to seek the best solution for the rescue of the four sailors. (rin)
