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Indonesian sailors abducted in Malaysian waters join hostages in Panamao: Minister
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Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu. (the jakarta post/Wienda Parwitasari)
T
hree Indonesian sailors recently abducted in Malaysian waters have been relocated to Panamao, Jolo Island, Southern Philippines, where they are reported to have joined four other hostages kidnapped by a Filipino militant group in late June, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said.
"They have been separated into two groups. There are now seven hostages being held in Panamao [...] three others remain at Lapac Island, about 64 kilometers away," Ryamizard said on Monday.
The hostages that remain at Lapac Island were kidnapped along with the other four in Philippine waters on June 20. They were transferred to Lapac Island one week before another group of Indonesian sailors were abducted in Malaysian waters on July 9, Ryamizard said.
Based on information obtained from both the Philippines Defense Ministry and the Malaysian Defense Ministry on Saturday, the condition of the three sailors remains healthy. Some of the seven sailors abducted in late June are reported to be unwell, Ryamizard said.
He is scheduled to depart for a bilateral meeting in Kuala Lumpur with the Malaysian Defense Minister on Tuesday. The Philippines Defence Minister will join them on Thursday for a trilateral meeting on maritime security in regional waters.
The three ministers also plan to discuss a joint Navy exercise scheduled ahead of joint sea patrol implementation and the mechanism of naval vessels to guard tugboats exporting goods between the neighboring countries. (dmr)
