By Ainur Rohmah
TUBAN, Indonesia (AA) - The Philippines is to enlist the leader of a southern separatist group to assist in the release of seven Indonesians abducted by a Daesh-affiliated militant group in the Sulu Sea.
Kompas.com quoted Indonesia's Minister for Politics, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as saying Saturday that new Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte had a different approach to freeing hostages than his incumbent, and was working with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari.
"Duterte has emphasized that Nur Misuari is his counterpart [in the situation]. His relationship [with Misuari] is close. Maybe later, Misuari will solve the problem with the Abu Sayyaf."
He added both governments were continuing to discuss the best options to free the men, and Misuari had previously helped out in such instances
In May, the Abu Sayyaf released four Indonesians to the MNLF, following negotiations initiated by Misuari.
The men -- like the seven Indonesians kidnapped June 24 -- had been abducted from a barge in the Sulu Sea, and held in Sulu province, a bastion of the violent Abu Sayyaf.
Some Abu Sayyaf members are believed to be blood relatives of MNLF members.
On Saturday, Pandjaitan said that both countries were organizing bilateral agreement to address piracy in waters on their borders.
Such agreements would now see armed escorts on Indonesian boats carrying goods to the Philippines.
"According to the contents of the agreement, there will be soldiers on the boats," Pandjaitan said.
Indonesia supplies nearly 96 percent of the southern Philippines coal. However, the fear of such kidnappings has led to a moratorium on coal exports.
Indonesia has said it will continue the ban until the Philippines provides security in its waters.