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Govt to probe death threats against hostages
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A Google image shows the Lahad Batu area. Three Indonesians are believed to have been kidnapped by five armed men off Lahad Datu on July 9, according to local media reports. (The Star/Image taken from Google map)
T
he government has acknowledged that death threats have been made against Indonesian sailors currently held hostage by Philippine militants, an official said on Thursday.
"We will soon invite the relatives of the hostages to Jakarta to obtain confirmation and more details on the alleged interaction with the perpetrators regarding the hostages," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir said on Thursday.
Arrmanatha reiterated the government's efforts for the safe release of the hostages, citing the bilateral meeting between Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi and her Philippine counterpart Perfeto Yasay during the recent ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Vientiane, Laos.
"The ministers had an open talk where they were able to exchange information and confirm the known details so far from each respective side," Arrmanatha said.
Ten Indonesian crewmen have been abducted at sea in separate incidents over the past months by armed militants on Malaysian and southern Philippines waters. It is believed that the men are being held in Sulu province, the Philippines. There have been four recent kidnappings of Indonesian sailors in regional waters, with the government calling for tighter security measures to prevent further incidents from taking place. (rin)
