The Indonesian military had also extended its condolences for the Philippine military personnel who lost their lives during an exchange of fire with the Abu Sayyaf group.
Padang, W Sumatra (ANTARA News) - The Philippine government can still handle the Abu Sayyaf group to secure the release of 10 Indonesian sailors held hostage in the Philippines, according to Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander General Gatot Nurmantyo.

"We have to laud what is being done by the Philippine government as stated by Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi," the TNI chief noted on the sidelines of the inauguration of the "Merpati Perdamaian" (Dove of Peace) Monument in the city of Padang, West Sumatra, on Tuesday.

The TNI is basically ready to help the Philippine government whenever the need arises.

"The hostages are being held captive in an area within the Philippines, and we must have permission to take further action. We have everything and are ready to handle any requests. However, this time, the Philippine government is still able to handle the hostage situation on its own," the commander affirmed.

Nevertheless, coordination efforts are being undertaken to free the 10 Indonesian nationals.

The Indonesian military had also extended its condolences for the Philippine military personnel who lost their lives during an exchange of fire with the Abu Sayyaf group.

"Our forces are on standby but not in Tarakan. We have stationed them at some other location. I regret to hear the news of the demise of the Philippine army personnel," Gatot stated.

Earlier, a total of 18 Filipino soldiers and five militants had been killed in a gunfight in the southern Philippines on Saturday (April 9).

As many as 53 soldiers and 20 insurgents were also wounded in the fierce gun battle, according to a spokesman for the Western Mindanao military command Major Filemon Tan.

The gunfight occurred at 7:55 a.m. local time on Saturday in the village of Baguindano, Tipo-Tipo Small Town in Basilan.

The exchange involved the troops from the 4th Armys Special Forces Battalion and the 44th Infantry Battalion who fought against 120 fighters of the Abu Sayyaf group.

The Abu Sayyaf group has some 400 members and was founded in the early 1990s by Islamic extremists, a group of rioters operating in the southern Philippines.

The group has, in the past decades, often conducted a series of kidnappings, bombings, and beheadings.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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