JAKARTA, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian armed forces (TNI) will set up cooperation with the Philippine armed forces to release seven Indonesian nationals being held hostage by an armed group in the Philippines, an Indonesian senior official said here on Monday.
The plan was made after Indonesian foreign ministry said last week that the repeated kidnappings of Indonesian citizens by an armed group in the southern Philippines could not be tolerated.
Indonesian Security Chief Minister Luhut Pandjaitan disclosed that Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizar Ryacudu is visiting the Philippines now and has met with his Philippines' counterpart Voltaire Gazmin to discuss the matter.
"I have just talked with Minister Ryacudu, it seems there has been a progress from the meeting," Minister Pandjaitan said at security chief ministry.
"There will be cooperation between the TNI and the Philippines armed forces," he said.
Read the full story at Xinhua