VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta. MK, 14-year-old Indonesian citizen who was taken hostage by the Abu Sayyaf Group, was rescued on Kalupag Island on Sunday, after previously three Indonesian men were freed on Thursday (18/3).

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement here on Sunday, stated that MK was rescued by the Philippine Security Apparatus, who launched a joint operation and succeeded in pushing the Abu Sayyaf Group during a gunfire.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Davao City, The Philippines, through a member of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Border Crossing Station in Bongao, Tawi Tawi had met MK who was in good and healthy condition.

With the release of MK, all Indonesian citizens who were held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf Group have been successfully freed.

MK and three Indonesian citizens who had been rescued earlier will be taken to the Zamboanga area before being flown to Manila. The Indonesian Embassy in Manila and the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao City, will coordinate with the Philippine government for the repatriation of the former hostages

"The Indonesian government expresses appreciation to the Philippine Government and the Philippine Security Apparatus," the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

On Thursday (18/3), the Philippine Security Apparatus rescued three of four Indonesians who were held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), in Tawi-Tawi waters when the terrorist group's ship carrying the three hostages overturned after being hit by waves.

The three rescued men are residents of Wakatobi District, Southeast Sulawesi, namely AKM (male, 30), AD (male, 41), and AR (male, 26). (Antaranews)