Indonesia ready to rescue hostages held by Abu Sayyaf

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the priority remains "the safety of the 10 Indonesian crew being held hostage". PHOTO: EPA.

JAKARTA: Police commandos from Indonesia are standing by to launch a mission to rescue 10 of the country's seamen being held hostage by Abu Sayyaf militants in the Philippines.

Indonesian National Police spokesman Anton Charliyan yesterday said squads from the elite Detachment 88 (Densus 88) counter-terrorism unit and Brimob, the police mobile brigade, "are ready to assist when the time comes".