4 Indonesian hostages released by Abu Sayyaf

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4 Indonesian hostages released by Abu Sayyaf

EPA

Sources say ransom was paid for their release

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The 4 remaining Indonesians hostages kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf were released on Wednesday, May 11.

They were said to be dropped off by unidentified men in front of the residence of Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan II in Brgy Asturias, Jolo, Sulu at 3pm.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced in Jakarta that “4 Indonesians held hostage by an armed group… have been released”.

“All 4 Indonesians are in good condition. The hostage release was successfully conducted by good cooperation between the Indonesian government and the Philippines.”

The victims were then brought to the Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital inside KHTB, Bus-Bus, Jolo, Sulu for medical check-up. 

Sources said ransom was paid for their release.

Gunmen abducted the 4 Indonesian sailors and shot and wounded one crew member on the high seas off the east coast of Malaysia’s Sabah state on Saturday, April 16.

“The incident happened late Friday in international waters. 4 Indonesian seamen were abducted by the kidnappers. One man was shot and is being treated at a hospital,” Sabah police chief Abdul Rashid Harun told Agence France-Presse (AFP) then.

It was earlier reported that the attack happened in Philippine waters, east of Mataking Island.

The tugboat carrying coal was sailing from Cebu in the Philippines back to Tarakan in Indonesian Borneo when the kidnappings occurred. Six other seamen, including the wounded man, managed to escape.

Their release comes 9 days after 10 other Indonesians who were kidnapped separately were also freed. They too were dropped off at the governor’s house. – Rappler.com/with reports from Agence France-Presse

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