REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Security forces have identified the location of the 10 Indonesians held hostage by the Philippine separatist group, Abu Sayyaf, according to Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu.
"Currently, seven Indonesians are being held hostage in the Panamao area. The three others are being held captive on Lapac Island," Ryacudu stated here on Monday.
The separatist group had kidnapped seven crew members of the Charles 001 Tugboat in the Sulu waters on June 23, 2016.
According to the minister, the location of the seven Indonesians was traced in Sitio Lupah Kapituhan, Panamao, in the Sulu Islands. The ministry has pointed out that the hostages are currently residing in the same area as the key leaders of the Abu Sayyaf group, Alhabsy Misaya and Salip Mira Kayawan.
Ryacudu said the area is guarded by at least 50 armed extremists.
The minister revealed that the hostage takers had relocated three of the seven captive Indonesians to Pandami in Lapac Islands.
According to the former Army chief of staff, the separatist rebels are shifting the hostages to separate locations to evade security patrols and to demand two separate ransoms.
Moreover, the three crew members of the LD/114/5S fishing vessel kidnapped in the Lahad Datu waters of Malaysia on July 9, 2016, were taken to the Panamao area.
The ministry noted that the kidnappers were identified as "Muktadil brothers" comprising Salvador, Brown, Nelson, and Khadaffy.
The minister remarked that the Filipino armed forces were fighting the separatist group by deploying 10 thousand soldiers under the command of the newly elected President, Rodrigo Duterte.
The operation has resulted in the deaths of 40 armed rebels following the raid.
Ryacudu said President Duterte has vowed to eliminate the armed rebel group in all areas of the Philippines.
Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines will hold a trilateral ministerial-level meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (July 21) to discuss ways to free the hostages.
The countries will discuss the assistance they can offer to help the Philippines eliminate the rebels.
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