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Govt shifts focus to saving four remaining Indonesian captives
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (second left) accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo (right) and State Secretary Pratikno, gives a press statement on the release of 10 Indonesians taken hostage by Abu Sayyaf rebels at the Bogor Palace on Sunday. The government is now focusing on rescuing four other Indonesian seamen kidnapped by the militant group. (Presidential Secretary via Antara/Rusman)
T
he government is focusing on freeing four remaining Indonesian citizens held captive by the Philippine Abu Sayyaf militant group following the release of 10 seamen by the notorious terrorists on Sunday.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo expressed his thankfulness over the release of the 10 sailors, who were taken hostage on March 26, after intensified efforts by the government. He also thanked the Philippine government for its cooperation and communication.
However, he added, the government will not rest on its laurels, with four other Indonesian nationals still in the clutches of Abu Sayyaf.
"We are continuing to work hard for the release of the other four crew members," Jokowi said at the Bogor Palace on Sunday.
The four Indonesians were taken by the militants after a failed attempt by the group to take their vessels in Malaysian and Philippine waters on April 15.
The President stressed the importance of border security both for Indonesia and its neighboring countries, citing a trilateral meeting with Malaysia and the Philippines this week to discuss the issue.
Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, who accompanied Jokowi to a press conference on Sunday, said the success of the release involved multiple parties from both formal and informal networks.
"This was total diplomacy, moving away from a sole focus on government-to-government diplomacy and involving informal networks in order to achieve our purpose," Retno said.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Miltary (TNI) chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo said the military would also conduct intelligence operations coordinated by the Foreign Ministry as part of efforts to free the four hostages. (rin)
