Moratorium On Coal Shipment to Philippines Continues For Security Reason

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has stated that moratorium on coal shipment to the Philippines continues until waters around Sulawesi, Zamboanga and Sulu are confirmed safe.

Indonesia and the Philippines would hold a joint military exercise next week, he said here on Friday.

"As long as military personnel have not carried out the exercise, we will halt (our ships). Don't create more problems. When the security is intensified, the route will reopen," he noted.

Cooperation in guarding the maritime trade route between Indonesia and the Philippines must be strengthened because it concerns the two countries' economic interests, he remarked.

Indonesia's coal is very much needed to support the electricity supply for the Filipino people, he said.

"It is an economic issue. The more we export our coal, more economic benefit we get," Ryamizard said.

Indonesia's Tugboat Charles 001 and Barge Robby 152 were hijacked in the Sulu Sea on their way home after unloading coal in the Philippines on June 20. The two vessels and six crew members were released, but seven others were taken hostage by an armed group of the Philippines.

Commander of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) General Gatot Nurmantyo said the two vessels violated the ban on going to the Philippines and changed their sailing route.

Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi condemned the latest hostage-taking incident and emphasized that the government will not tolerate it any longer.

The minister urged Manila to secure its South Philippine waters to prevent recurrence of crimes committed by the armed Abu Sayyaf militant group and disruption of economic activities in the region.

As hostage-taking incidents have occurred repeatedly in the last few months, the Indonesian government has decided to ban Indonesian-flagged vessels from sailing to the Philippines.

The Transportation Ministry issued a sailing notice no. 130/VI/DN-16, dated June 24, 2016, to harbor masters ordering them to not issue permits to Indonesian-flagged vessels intending to sail to the Philippines, the ministry's sea transportation director general, A. Tonny Budiono, remarked recently.

The seaport masters have been strictly ordered to not issue permits to Philippine-bound vessels without any exception. (WDY)