AFP: Rescue of Indonesian hostages an internal matter

Thanks, but no thanks.

Amid offers of the Indonesian military and police to help in the rescue of their 10 nationals abducted by the Abu Sayyaf, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday said it was capable of doing the job by themselves.

“Per our Constitution, we do not allow military forces here without a treaty,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla.

Based on news reports, Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said they were ready to help in the rescue of the hostages should the Philippines ask for it.

“It’s a foreign country. If we are not allowed to enter then we cannot force it. If Manila is ready to settle it themselves, then we’ll wait, but if they need help, then we should enter,” Ryamizard was quoted as saying.

READ: Indonesian army, police ready to send forces to the Philippines

But Padilla said that “the AFP has the capability to do its mandate.”

The Abu Sayyaf is demanding a P50-million ransom for the release of the Indonesian hostages abducted in Sulu waters last Saturday.

The victims are onboard a tugboat Brahman 12 when the gunmen boarded the vessel, according to military reports.

A smaller vessel was used to tow the tugboat and was later recovered in the waters of Tawi-Tawi. RC