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RI seeks release of patrol crew member held hostage in Vietnam via diplomacy
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Vietnam Coast Guard 8005 vessel allegedly hits a Vietnamese-flagged fishing boat, which had been caught by Indonesian authorities for alleged poaching in Indonesian waters. The boat sinks and Indonesian patrol personnel Gunawan Wibisono guarding it is held hostage by the Vietnamese authorities. (The Jakarta Post/Source)
T
he Indonesian and Vietnamese authorities have agreed to adopt a diplomatic approach in a bid to settle a clash that occurred between maritime authorities of both countries in the Natuna waters, Riau Islands, on Sunday, which saw a crew member of an Indonesian patrol boat taken hostage by the Vietnamese coast guard.
Indonesian Navy deputy chief of staff Vice Adm. Achmad Taufieqoerrochman said Tuesday the Indonesian Military (TNI) had coordinated with the Vietnamese government regarding the matter.
"This has become a political matter," said Taufiqoerrochman, who is also the executive chairman of Indonesia's illegal fishing eradication taskforce.
(Read also: Ri, Vietnam vessels clash in Natuna)
The KM Hiu Macan 001 patrol boat belonging to the Maritime and Fisheries Resources Monitoring (PSDKP) Directorate General at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry caught five alleged Vietnamese poaching boats separately on Sunday.
However, an intervention by Vietnam Coast Guard 8005 vessel led to the escape of 44 of the 55 apprehended Vietnamese crew. The vessel hit one of the five boats and took hostage an Indonesian patrol personnel, Gunawan Wibisono, sent on board to keep guard, according to an official military report obtained by The Jakarta Post.
"Negotiations to recover Gunawan failed as they required release of the arrested Vietnamese crew and boats," the document stated.
Taufiqoerrochman assured that Gunawan was in good condition.
Meanwhile, the commander of Tarempa Navy base in Natuna, Lt. Col. Johan Wahyudi, said the TNI had heightened security in the Natuna waters following the incident.
"A number of warships have been deployed," he said. (mrc/bbs)
