REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian government reaffirmed here on Monday that it had paid no ransom to the Indonesian hostage takers in South Philippines.

"If you ask whether any ransom has been paid, the answer is no. There has been no payment of ransom," cabinet secretary Pramono Anung told the media persons at the presidential office.

He said the government has thanked all parties which helped in the efforts to secure the release of 10 Indonesian boat crew members who were held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf militant group in the Philippines.

He said the release of the hostages was a result of intensive diplomatic efforts made by Indonesia, its government, and the efforts of the entire nation.

"From time to time, the government was in the know of things. The President yesterday specially communicated with President Aquino and thanked him. Certainly, without the role played by the Philippines government, it would not have worked out so well. It was purely the result of diplomacy," he said.

He said the Indonesian government would also make efforts at the diplomatic levels to save four other crew members who are still being held hostage by the group in South Philippines.

Indonesia's defense forces' commander General Gatot Nurmantyo said efforts were still on to free the four hostages.

The Indonesian defense forces (TNI) have conducted intelligence operations and coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deal with the problem, he said.

Ten Indonesian crew members who were held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf group have returned to the country but four others were still being held by the group.

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