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Indonesia underscores security in shared waters after Abu Sayyaf hostage liberation
The Indonesian government has once again underlined the lack of security and safety in waters shared with Malaysia and the Philippines, after four Indonesian fishermen were rescued over the weekend more than a year after they were abducted in the tri-border area.
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A joint Sulu Sea patrol in the tri-border area between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines is seen in this undated picture. Indonesia has underlined the lack of security in the shared waters, particularly by Malaysia, following the successful rescue of four Indonesians taken hostage by the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom group. (The Star/-)
T
he government has once again underlined the lack of security and safety in waters shared with Malaysia and the Philippines, after four Indonesian fishermen were rescued over the weekend more than a year after they were abducted in the tri-border area.
The Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday that a Philippine security operation had succeeded in rescuing a 14-year old Indonesian boy identified only as MK, from the island of Kalupag in Tawi-Tawi province, near the border with Sabah, Malaysia, on Sunday.
The teen was found at the site of a gun battle that broke out on Saturday between the security forces and an Abu Sayyaf splinter group led by Majan Sahidjuan, also known as Apo Mike, who died after sustaining gunshot wounds, according to local media reports.
MK rejoined the three other former hostages from South Sulawesi who were rescued on Thursday last week after an Abu Sayyaf boat capsized en route to Tawi-Tawi due to poor weather at sea.
Abu Sayyaf is an armed group based in the southern Philippines which is notorious for kidnapping people at sea and holding them for ransom. Indonesian citizens have been among the many victims captured by the group in a string of incidents between 2016 and 2020.
The ministry’s director for citizen protection, Judha Nugraha, said it was up to shipowners to follow the rules and avoid fishing in the troubled waters. He also noted Malaysia’s role in guaranteeing secure and safe passage.
Read also: Indonesia calls out Malaysia for ‘ineffective’ security
