Jakarta to RP: Please explain arrest of 5 Indons

The Indonesian government is seeking clarification about the arrest of a number of its nationals in the Philippines amid a crackdown on perceived terrorists here, officials said yesterday.

In a note verbale sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday, Indonesian officials sought clarification on the apprehension and detention of their five citizens — Lasdli Mahadin Amka, 35, of Peita Tahona; Nasser Sapate Masang, 23, of Betong; Allan Duriyang Duremalam, 20, of Manado City; Junjun Abram Manderes, 18, and Johnny Pido Manderes, 19, both of Peita, Tahona.

The five are suspected of being involved either in terrorism or smuggling.

Indonesian press attaché Andang Pramana assailed the bad press Indonesian nationals were getting in the Philippines.

"Are we perceived as terrorists? We sent a letter to the DFA asking for explanation on reports about the arrest. They already reached the Indonesian media and they have been asking the embassy for information," he said.

Pramana, however, clarified that the note verbale only sought an explanation and that there was no need for a "protest," adding that both countries remained good neighbors.

He added that Filipinos, when arrested in Indonesia, were not easily called terrorists or members of the Abu Sayyaf, but were treated well while in custody.

The Philippine government has yet to respond to the request of the Indonesian officials.

The five Indonesians were undocumented and were caught by Central Mindanao police operatives just off the shores of Maasim, Sarangani on board a pumpboat.

The authorities confiscated from the Indonesians 30 containers of diesel fuel, four containers of kerosene and three boxes of floor tiles.

Both Indonesia and the Philippines have been victims of terrorist attacks this month. A car-bomb in the resort island of Bali killed over 190 people while 23 were killed in a series of bomb attacks in the southern Philippines and in Manila.

Jakarta authorities have linked the Islamic militant Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) to the Bali bombing, and Philippine authorities said the JI was also linked with Muslim separatists on Mindanao island.

The JI’s aim is to create an Islamic superstate across the region, to include Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and even northern Australia. – With AFP