Journalists have descended on the two-story-house on Jl. Swasembada Barat, Kebon Bawang, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, after Alfian and the other Brahma 12 crew members were released from Abu Sayyaf captivity on Sunday.

Alfian’s wife, Youla Lasut, could not hide her joy when journalists asked her about her husband’s release. Alfian is still undergoing medical treatment at the Gatot Subroto Central Army Hospital (RSPAD) in Central Jakarta.

“I’m very happy Bapak Alvian has been released. It cannot be expressed in words. Thanks be to God,” said Youla as quoted by kompas.com at her home in North Jakarta on Monday.

Youla learned about the release of Alfian from her relatives, just as she received information from Alfian’s company, at around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Youla said she and other family members could not yet meet Alfian at RSPAD. They could communicate with the sailor only via phone and video calls. Youla said that so far, she could only ask her husband about his health.

Youla further explained that Alfian’s company had previously promised her to seek a way to unite her husband and all of his family members. However, the hospital’s tight visiting procedures did not allow them to carry out the plan.

“I have communicated with him by phone and video calls. I asked him whether or not he was healthy, and he said that physically, he was healthy. Other than that, we don’t know yet. They [Alfian and other released sailors] are still at the hospital. They are still undergoing medical check-ups,” said Youla.

As earlier reported, the 10 Indonesian sailors taken hostage by Abu Sayyaf militants in the Philippines arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta at around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday after their release on the same day.

“Thank God, finally, the 10 Indonesian crew members held hostage by an armed group since March 26, have been successfully released,” Jokowi told journalists at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Sunday.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Indonesian Military commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo and State Secretary Pratikno accompanied the President in the press conference, but did not answer journalists’ questions.

Jolo Police chief Junpikar Sitin said earlier in the Philippines that the 10 Indonesian citizens were released at noon on Sunday. Several unidentified persons brought the Brahma 12 crew members to the residence of Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan Jnr amid heavy rain.

The reason for their release remains unknown. A source who wished to remain anonymous said they were released following a ransom payment of 50 million pesos or around Rp 14 billion (US$1.06 million) to the Abu Sayyaf group, a claim that was later denied by the Indonesian government.

Names of 10 Indonesian sailors released by Abu Sayyaf militants:

1.  Peter Tonsen Barahama from Bukit Tempayan sub-district, Batu Aji district, Batam
2. Julian Philip from Sasaran sub-district, North Tondang district, Minahasa regency
3. Alvian Elvis Peti from Kebon Bawang sub-district, Tanjung Priok district, North Jakarta
4. Mahmud from Telaga Biru sub-district, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan
5. Surian Syah from Watubangga sub-district, Baruga district, Kendari regency, Southeast Sulawesi
6. Surianto from Gilireng, Wajo, South Sulawesi
7. Wawan Saputra from Puncak Indah sub-district, Malili district, Palopo
8. Bayu Oktavianto from Miliran Mendak sub-district, Delanggu district, Klaten regency, Central Java
9. Rinaldi from Makassar, South Sulawesi
10. Wendi Raknadian from Pasar Ambacang sub-district, Padang, West Sumatra.

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