Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan confirmed that the government has placed a temporary moratorium on sailing permits for ships heading to the Philippines from Indonesia. He added that any barges heading to the neighboring country must be escorted by the military.
"We have asked that six coal barges currently in Philippine waters should be escorted by that country's military before being picked up by the Indonesian Military [TNI] when entering Indonesian waters," Jonan said after meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla in Jakarta on Tuesday (19/04).
The temporary moratorium will be in force until an agreement is reached between Indonesia and the Philippines, which he said was still being discussed by TNI chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.
"If there are no escorts available, we suggested that the ships should remain there. This applies to those in Tarakan and Manado [North Sulawesi]," Jonan added.
Moreover, Jonan said he expected to see more security for any ships sailing to the Philippines rather than paying more money for the release of hostages.
The temporary moratorium comes after 14 Indonesian crewmembers were taken hostage by the Philippine rebel Abu Sayyaf in two separate incidents recently. The company that owns the hijacked tugboat, Brahma 12, has agreed to pay the 50-million-peso ($1 million) ransom demanded by the Abu Sayyaf for the release of 10 Indonesian crewmembers who have been held hostage since March 26.
Chief Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said the rebel group had been in contact with the company, Patria Maritime Lines.
"It is agreed that [the company] will pay 50 million pesos, or the equivalent of Rp 14.3 billion, which will be handed over at a certain location," Luhut said on Tuesday, as quoted by Tempo.co.
The minister said the two sides would communicate again later this week to discuss further details.
The Abu Sayyaf group is notorious for kidnappings, beheadings, bombings and extortion. The group has also been a major influence on other terror groups in Southeast Asia, including those in Indonesia.
Moreover, Jonan said he expected to see more security for any ships sailing to the Philippines rather than paying more money for the release of hostages.
The temporary moratorium comes after 14 Indonesian crewmembers were taken hostage by the Philippine rebel Abu Sayyaf in two separate incidents recently. The company that owns the hijacked tugboat, Brahma 12, has agreed to pay the 50-million-peso ($1 million) ransom demanded by the Abu Sayyaf for the release of 10 Indonesian crewmembers who have been held hostage since March 26.
Chief Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said the rebel group had been in contact with the company, Patria Maritime Lines.
"It is agreed that [the company] will pay 50 million pesos, or the equivalent of Rp 14.3 billion, which will be handed over at a certain location," Luhut said on Tuesday, as quoted by Tempo.co.
The minister said the two sides would communicate again later this week to discuss further details.
The Abu Sayyaf group is notorious for kidnappings, beheadings, bombings and extortion. The group has also been a major influence on other terror groups in Southeast Asia, including those in Indonesia.
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/govt-puts-temporary-ban-unescorted-ships-sailing-philippines/
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.