Foreign affairs ministry clarifies

In response to the article titled Philippines says Indonesia not helping in hunt for hostages, which appeared on The Jakarta Post website on May 21, it is untrue that Indonesian officials are not working with the Philippine authorities to pursue the safe release of the three Indonesian seamen abducted from the TB/Bonggaya 91 on March 30.

The statement from Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza, a senior official in the Philippine army (Southern Command), saying that they have not received any reports from the Indonesian Consulate is misleading. The Indonesian representatives in Manila and Davao City have been coordinating with the Philippine military since the kidnapping first came to their attention, requesting assistance from the Philippines for the immediate and safe release of the three Indonesian nationals.

On April 1, the charge d'affaires of the Indonesian Embassy in Manila visited the chief of staff of the armed forces of the Philippines, Gen. Efren Abu, at his office to inform him of the abductions. In the very same opportunity, the latter coordinated with officials of the Southern Command as well, as well as with the Philippine navy, to immediately handle the problem.

The Indonesian Embassy in Manila also sent four diplomatic notes dated April 4, April 20, May 9 and May 17 to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, three of which were relayed to the chief of the Southern Command, Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza.

In line with the above mentioned efforts, the Indonesian representatives in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu continuously has urged the attention of the Malaysian government, as well as the Malaysian Bonggaya company, which employs the three seamen, in order for them to take some responsibility in this matter.

Until now, we are still giving our utmost effort and trying to bring the three seamen safely home to their families.

THAMRIN, Head of Ministerial Bureau/Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta