"The Indonesian government is continuing its efforts to secure the release of the two remaining crewmen," Ryamizard Ryacudu said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has intensified coordination with his Philippines counterpart Delfin Lorenzana to secure the release of Indonesian sailors still being held captive by Abu Sayyaf militants.
"The Indonesian government is continuing its efforts to secure the release of the two remaining crewmen," Ryamizard Ryacudu said here on Wednesday.
The two hostages, Robin Peter and M. Nasir, were crew members of tugboat Charles.
The minister informed that his team had limited its search to find the location of hostages.
"We have been able to zero in on the location where the remaining two Indonesian sailors are being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf militant group in the Southern Philippines," the minister pointed out.
The minister assured that Indonesia and the Philippines governments were intensifying coordination to secure their release.
On October 1, the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group released three Indonesian hostages.
According to Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi here on Sunday (Oct 2) , the three hostages, who were released at 23.35 hours, were Ferry Arifin, M Mahbur Dahlan and Edi Suryono.
"They were picked up by a special team after their release and then taken to the Sulu Joint Task Force West Mincom for a health check," she had told a press conference, flanked by Defense Forces (TNI) Commander General Gatot Nurmantyo at the Ministry of Defense office.
The three were later taken to Samboaga and referred to the government of Indonesia, represented by the Indonesian embassy in Manila.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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