TNI-Police to Settle Hostage Incident: Governor

Samarinda, E Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - East Kalimantan governor Awang Faroek Ishak expressed his optimism here on Friday that the Indonesian military (TNI) and police (Polri) will be able to peacefully settle the latest hostage-taking incident.

Seven Indonesian citizens from Samarinda, East Kalimantan, have been taken hostage by the Abu Sayyaf separatist militant group in the Philippines, while sailing in Filipino waters.

The seven hostages are crew members of the TB Charles, belonging to PT PP Rusianto Bersaudara.

One of the crew members, Ismail, had been ordered by the hostage takes to inform his family about the kidnapping on June 22.

"Let us just follow the developments and we need not speculate. The TNI has taken actions and so let us wait for the results," he said.

He said the success of the TNI and Polri in settling two similar incidents should have provided invaluable lessons in settling the current hostage situation.

Further, the governor said he received confirmation from the State Intelligence Agency on Thursday regarding the incident.

Governor Awang Faroek underlined the importance of intelligence in dealing with the case, in addition to information from community members living along the border.

He also said that officials would counsel families of the hostages during the crisis so they would remain calm. (*)