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TNI chief confirms two Indonesian abductees escaped Abu Sayyaf
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Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (second right) and Indonesian Military commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo (right) accompany President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in a press conference after the release of Indonesian sailors from the Abu Sayyaf group's captivity in May. (Courtesy of the Presidential Office/Rusman)
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ndonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo confirmed on Thursday that two of eleven Indonesian sailors held hostage by Philippine militant group Abu Sayyaf in the southern Philippines had escaped their captors.
The sailors, identified as Mohammad Sofyan and Ismail, were among seven crewmembers of tugboat Charles that was hijacked in the Philippine's Sulu waters on June 23. They had been held captive by the notorious group for over 50 days.
"I have cross-checked the information. Sofyan and Ismail are currently in Zamboanga to undergo a health check-up with the medical team," Gatot said in a statement on Thursday.
Gatot praised the Philippine's commitment to seeing for the release of the Indonesian captives, making the escape possible. An operation conducted by the Philippine armed forces that aimed to block the militants' movement had secured the breakout of the two hostages.
"We hope the [remaining hostages] are released as soon as possible," he said, referring to the remaining nine captives held by Abu Sayyaf.
Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto, meanwhile, said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi had coordinated with her Philippine counterpart and the two sailors were now under the protection of the Indonesian Embassy in the Philippines. (rin)
