Joint patrol initiated in wake of abduction of Indonesians in Philippine waters

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Image from Internet)

Jakarta (IINA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has initiated a joint patrol involving Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines in the wake of 14 Indonesians held hostage in the Philippine waters, ANTARA News reported.
"This week, we will invite the Malaysian military chief and foreign minister, and the Philippine military chief and foreign minister to discuss the possibility of a joint patrol to ensure that the sea lane is safe," Jokowi said Tuesday.
The president said the process of releasing the Indonesians held hostage by the armed group since a few weeks ago is not simple thing.
"We will find it hard. We must understand that the other cases which have lasted for six and eight months have not been resolved either. In fact, any of them has been executed. It is not that easy to underestimate a difficult thing as Philippine soldiers have cordoned off the area. As we all know that the hostages have been removed to other area. Has the act of removing the hostage caused difficulties to us?" he said.
After all, the president said he will never give up and keep trying to release the Indonesians held hostage.
Operations have been conducted at noon and night to ensure that the hostages will not lose contact with the Philippine government, he said.
"We hope that it can be resolved soon as I have stated," President Jokowi said.
AB/IINA

Let's block ads! (Why?)