Indonesia Deploys Two Warships For Anti-Abu-Sayyaf Operations

The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) has sent two warships along the Malasian-Philippine border to counter Abu-Sayyaf group in response to the latest abduction of Indonesian citizens by the group.

TNI has sent KRI Badau-841 and KRI Slamet Riyaid-352 warships to secure its citizens along the border between Malaysia and the Philippines. The warships will work along with Phlippines and Malaysian forces.

"I have prepared forces on land, on the sea and in air to take action along the border with the Philippines," General Gatot Nurmantyo, TNI’s Commander was quoted as saying by Ankara news at an event to mark the commemoration of the 64th anniversary of the army’s special force, Kopassus, in Cijantung, East Jakarta, on Saturday.

"One has been shot in the armpit and four others have been held hostage. Six others are safe and are now in Sabah. There were indications that the Abu Sayyaf group was behind it but investigations were still on," he said.

General Nurmantyo said he would coordinate with the commanders of the armed forces of Malaysia and the Philippines to jointly conduct coordinated patrolling.

"Coordinated joint patrolling means we will patrol up to the outermost limit of the Exclusive Economic Zone. Beyond that, it will be the responsibility of Philippines or Malaysia, depending upon whose territory it is," he said.

The Abu Sayyaf terrorist group claimed to have hijacked tugboat Brahma 12 and barge Anand 12 which were on their way from Sungai Puting in South Kalimantan to Batangas in South Philippines.

The owner of the vessels received a call from someone claiming to be a member of the Abu Sayyaf group on March 26. That’s how he came to know that ten Indonesian citizens had been held hostage.

The Abu Sayyaf group demanded a 50 million peso ($2.8 million) ransom.