Durian. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi confirmed the death of an Indonesian hostage that was held by Philippine’s local homegrown terror group Abu Sayyaf (ASG) on Sept.30.
The victim, known by his initial as L.B., has died in a clash between Philippine military – from Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion and Sulu Joint Task Force – and ASG in Patikul town, Sulu province on Sept.30 morning, Marsudi said.
“The body was flown from Sulu to Zamboaga by Philippine military aircraft,” the minister said in Jakarta.
The body was taken to a funeral house in Zamboaga. The government of Indonesia has informed the victim’s family and local government of Buton regency in Southeast Sulawesi where the victim was originally from.
L.B. and four other Indonesian were working as fishermen onboard of a Malaysian fishing boat when they were hostage by ASG in January 2020 at Malaysian waters, in the border with the Philippines.
“We keep communicating and coordinating with Philippine authorities about the fate of four other hostages,” Marsudi said.
