REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia has asked the Philippines to ensure the security of its ships carrying commodities to the country.
Indonesia's Vice President, Jusuf Kalla said on Thursday that with the security guarantee given for the shipment of coal sent from Indonesia to the Philippines, the ship?s passage would be smooth and will help the two countries' economies.
"It is still being discussed with the Philippines regarding how security can be ensured for ships passing through the Philippines waters. Perhaps it will be done through a joint patrol or by escorting our ships. It is still under discussion," he stated.
Due to the recent March highjacking of a ship carrying coal by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, dozens of barges have been afraid to sail through the Philippines waters.
As a result, coal exports from Indonesia to the Philippines have been hindered and resulted in the Philippines suffering from a shortage of coal to meet its electricity needs.
"Several cities there, according to reports, have experienced rotating outages due to the shortage of coal supply from Indonesia," Jusuf said.
He said around 20 barges have remained in Tarakan, Banjarmasin, because do not plan to return home (to the Philippines)," he said.
He said if the situation is not immediately settled, the Philippines would suffer a loss because it will not be able to import coal from Indonesia, while Indonesia would also suffer because the situation would affect the country's export-import activities.
Regarding the hostage taking case, Jusuf said the Indonesian government is seeking to hold a dialogue to resolve the situation.
The Indonesian government is continuously communicating about it and monitoring the state of the Indonesian citizens being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf group.
"The government continues to monitor the developments related to the kidnapped sailors," the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Luhut Pandjaitan said on Wednesday.
Fourteen Indonesian sailors are currently being held by the Abu Sayyaf group.
"They are in a good condition," the minister informed.
Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika