Foreign affairs ministry clarifies

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