REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi, has confirmed that seven Indonesians crew members (ABK) Indonesia were held hostage by two different armed groups in the southern Philippine on June 20, 2016.

"On July 23, 2016, we are receiving the confirmation that seven Indonesians crews of Tugboat Ship Robby 001 and barge 152 kidnapped in Philippine," Retno said at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Friday (24/6).

Retno added that the hostage of seven Indonesians occurred in the Sulu Sea in two stages. First at June 20 at around 11:30 AM local time and about 12.45 local time by two different armed groups.

"At the time of the hostage taking, the ship was carrying 13 crew members. A total of seven crew members being hostage and six others were freed. Currently six crews on the way carrying ship Tugboat Charles 001 and Barge Robby 152 to Samarinda, East Kalimantan," she said.

Retno stressed that the Indonesian Government will do all ways to liberate the crews through cooperation with various parties, including the government of the Philippine.

"Safety seven Indonesians is a priority. The Indonesian government asked the Philippine government to ensure security in the territorial waters of the southern Philippine so it does not disrupt economic activity around these area," she said.

Retno continued, the Government of Indonesia will conduct a coordination meeting at the office of Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Luhut Pandjaitan with involving all relevant parties to take fast steps, scalable, and safe.

"I will update the progress," Retno said.

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