FM exploring options to secure Abu Sayyaf's hostages

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi is currently exploring the best option to secure 10 Indonesians, who are being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf militant group in the Philippines waters.

"Scoping for the best securing option is underway, as I have been conveyed last Tuesday, our priority is to free the citizens," she noted in a press statement issued from Palapa Room on Thursday.

In addition, the minister said she has been in communication with the families of the citizens, who were taken hostage to give the information about their position and condition.

However, Retno did not reveal further information to the media about the current location and condition of the hostages.

Based on information from the Foreign Ministry, the hijacking of the Indonesian-flagged Brahma 12 and Anand 12 vessels occurred while they were sailing from Sungai Puting in South Kalimantan to Batangas, South Philippines.

"It is not known exactly when the hijacking occurred. The ships' owners only came to know of it on March 26 when they received a telephone call from someone claiming to be from the Abu Sayyaf group," Indonesian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Arrmanatha Nasir, revealed.

Brahma 12 has been released and is now with the Filipino authorities, while Anand 12 and the 10 crew members are still being held by the hijackers.

During a telephonic conversation with the ships' owners, it was revealed that the hijackers had demanded a ransom.

Since March 26, the hijackers had made contact with the ships' owners twice, he added.