3 Indonesian Citizen Hostage Victims Of The Abu Sayyaf Group Successfully Rescued

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (left) witnessed by the Philippine militant group Abu Sayyaf hostage victim (photo via ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Philippine security forces rescued three of the four Indonesian citizens who were held hostage by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

The three of them came from Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, namely AKM (male, 30), AD (male, 41), and AR (male, 26).

The rescue was carried out on Thursday, March 18 afternoon in the Tawi-Tawi waters when the ship used by the ASG group carried three Indonesian citizens overturned due to sea waves.

"The Indonesian hostages were moved by ASG from Indanan, Sulu, to another place because they were pressed by the joint operation of the Philippine Security Apparatus," said the statement of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) quoted by Antara, Friday, March 19.

The three Indonesian citizens were secured at the Tandubas Marine Police Station, Tawi-Tawi. The Indonesian Consulate General in Davao, through TNI members at the Border Crossing Station Indonesia in Bongao, Tawi Tawi, has met, verified and examined the condition of the Indonesian citizens. They are in good health.

The three Indonesian citizens are planned to be taken to Zamboanga before being flown to Manila for the process of returning to Indonesia.

Meanwhile, one other Indonesian citizen, namely MK (male, 12) is still unknown.

The four Indonesian citizens are part of the five Indonesian citizens who were kidnapped by ASG on January 16, 2020 in Tambisan waters, Sabah, Malaysia. Previously, one Indonesian citizen, La Baa, was found dead on September 28, 2020.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Indonesian Embassy in Manila and the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao City, will continue to coordinate with the Philippine Government and local officials to provide protection for these Indonesian citizens.