PH gov’t ‘pleased’ with Abu release of 10 Indonesians

FREEDOM’S FULL MEAL Ten Indonesian sailors who were freed by the Abu Sayyaf eat a hearty meal of fried chicken, fish and rice at the house of Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II in this photo he released to the Inquirer.

The Philippine government on Monday said it is glad that the 10 Indonesians kidnapped by the bandit group Abu Sayyaf are now free and safe after five weeks in captivity.

READ: Abus free 10 Indonesians

“The Philippine Government is pleased [with] the positive developments resulting in the safe release of Ten (10) Indonesian nationals abducted by the Abu Sayyaf on March 26, 2016,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

It said that “intensified operations” continue on the ground.

“The DFA maintains close coordination with concerned foreign governments in ensuring the safe return of all the remaining hostages,” it added.

The 10 Indonesian sailors, crew members of the tugboat Brahman 12, were abducted last March while they were transporting coal from Borneo to the Philippines.

READ: Abu Sayyaf bandits snatch 10 Indonesians off Sulu – military

The Abu Sayyaf later released a video threatening to kill the men unless they were paid P50 million.

On Sunday, the men were dropped off at the house of Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan Jr.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines reportedly refused to pay the bandits but a source cited by the Inquirer claimed that the P50-million ransom was paid. RAM/rga