Indonesia to host talks with Philippines, Malaysia after abduction

Indonesian President Joko Widodo will hold talks with military chiefs and foreign ministers from the Philippine and Malaysia this week to step up maritime security after the kidnapping of Indonesians at sea by Abu Sayyaf terrorist group.

The president said that the meeting would discuss a joint patrol to secure the shipping lane at the waters, which are frequently passed by ships.

"This week we (will) invite the military commanders, foreign ministers from the Philippines, Malaysia," President Widodo said at the State Palace.

"(The borders) is passed by an international shipping lane from (China's) Hong Kong to the south, and it passes through Indonesian waters. The economic activity is frequent there, including the transport of coal," Spokesman of Indonesian Security Chief Minister Agus R. Barnas told Xinhua.

To avoid similar incidents, Indonesian transport ministry has given rights to the authorities at provincial level to temporarily bar ships from passing through the lane.

The Abu Sayyaf militant group based in the Philippines abducted 10 Indonesian workers from the tugboat Brahma 12 and barge Anand 12 on March 29 in the waters of the Philippines, and demanded ransom.

Four other Indonesians were held hostage weeks after the incident.