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Govt prepares ransom to release Indonesian sailors
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Soldiers of God – Members of the Abu Sayyaf militant group are shown in the Philippines. (Associated Press/-)
T
he government has intensified negotiations and is preparing the ransom demanded to free 10 Indonesian sailors taken hostage by Abu Sayyaf, a Philippine militant group, a minister has said.
Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said the government had stepped up measures to negotiate with Abu Sayyaf for the release of the hostages, stressing that rescuing the Indonesian sailors via a military operation was too risky for their safety.
"I hope the negotiation process will achieve good results since a military operation would make casualties," he said. The minister said the deadline for the negotiations might be extended.
As reported earlier, two Indonesian-flagged vessels, the Brahma 12 and Anand 12, were hijacked by Abu Sayyaf militants in Philippine waters last week. The Brahma 12 tugboat has been handed over to the Philippines, but the militant group has contacted the owner of the vessel and demanded a ransom of US$1.08 million by April 8 to free the Indonesian sailors.
"Definitely, it [the ransom] is not from state money," Ryamizard said in Jakarta on Thursday.
Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan held a meeting on the hostage crisis on Monday. A number of ministers and security officials attended.
In the meeting, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi outlined the results of her visit to the Philippines last week. These included commitments to intensify communications and coordination with the Philippine government for the safe release of the 10 Indonesian crewmen. The minister also reiterated the importance of the safety the hostages. She conveyed the government’s appreciation to its counterparts in the Philippines over its cooperation to solve the hostage crisis. (ebf)
