Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (Source:AFP/VNA) Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on June 24 announced that seven Indonesian sailors were kidnapped in waters off the southern Philippines.
She also called on the Philippine authorities to ensure security in the waters so that economic activities in the area are not affected.
Speaking at a press conference, Retno Marsudi said that 13 crew members of the tug boat Charles 001 and the barge Robby 152 were kidnapped on June 20 in the Sulu Sea in two cases. Six of them have been released.
The Indonesian Government strongly condemns the repeat of abductions of Indonesians by armed groups in southern Philippines, she said, adding that it will explore all possible ways to rescue the hostages, she added.
The kidnappings, believed to be conducted by the Islam extremist group Abu Sayyaf, was the third abduction of Indonesians in the last three months.-VNA
