Tiga WNI Sandera Abu Sayyaf Dibebaskan Tanpa Bayar Uang Tebusan
Three Indonesian Hostages in Philippines Freed: Minister
Reporter : Edo Andhika
Editor : Cahyani Harzi
Translator : Dhelia Gani
Jakarta (B2B) - Menteri Pertahanan RI Ryamizard Ryacudu memastikan bahwa tiga dari sembilan warga Indonesia (WNI) yang disandera oleh kelompok separatis Abu Sayyaf telah dibebaskan pada Minggu dini hari, tapi Pemerintah RI dan Filipina tidak membayar uang tebusan untuk membebaskan Lorens Lagadoni Koten, 34, Teodorus Kopong Koten, 42, and Emanuel Arakian Maran, 46.
"Kami harapkan WNI yang masih disandera bisa segera dibebaskan setelah tiga sandera berhasil dibebaskan," kata Ryamizard kepada pers di Bandara Halim PK pada Minggu malam.
Pembebasan ketiga WNI serta satu warga negara Norwegia merupakan hasil koordinasi pemerintah Filipina dan Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) pimpinan Nur Misuari yang membantu proses negosiasi pemerintah dengan Abu Sayyaf. MNLF bukan sekali ini ´bersentuhan´ dengan unsur Indonesia.
"Sudah jelas bahwa pemerintah Indonesia dan Filipina tidak mengeluarkan uang sepeser pun untuk membayar uang tebusan," kata Menhan Ryamizard.
Menurutnya ketiga pelaut Indonesia saat ini menjalani pemeriksaan kesehatan di Zamboanga. Penyerahan sandera dilakukan oleh pihak Kementerian Pertahanan RI kepada Kedubes Indonesia di Filipina, sementara Kementerian Luar Negeri RI yang akan mengurus kepulangan mereka ke Indonesia.
Jakarta (B2B) - Indonesian Defense Minister, Ryamizard Ryacudu confirmed that three Indonesian hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf militant group in the Philippines were released early Sunday, but the Philippine and Indonesian governments did not pay a ransom to free Lorens Lagadoni Koten, 34, Teodorus Kopong Koten, 42, and Emanuel Arakian Maran, 46.
"We hope another Indonesian can be freed soon following the release of the three yesterday," Mr Ryacudu told reporters at Jakarta Airforce Base on Sunday evening.
He said the release of the three Indonesian sailors along with a Norwegian national was the result of a negotiation process that the Philippines government, co-ordinated by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), held with their abductors.
"It is clear that the Indonesian and Philippine governments did not to spend even a single cent for paying the ransom," Mr Ryacudu said.
According to him that the three Indonesian sailors still had to undergo a medical check-up in Zamboanga. They had been handed over by the Indonesian Defense Ministry to the Indonesian Embassy authorities, while the Indonesian foreign ministry will soon transport them back to Indonesia.
