Philippine militants release second group of Indonesian hostages

Welcome news: Widodo, accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (left) and military chief Gatot Nurmantyo, speaking during a press conference at the presidential palace in Jakarta to announce the release of the sailors. — EPA

JAKARTA: Four Indonesian sailors kidnapped by suspected militants in the strife-torn southern Philippines were released yesterday, the second group of Indonesian hostages to be freed this month.

Gunmen abducted the sailors on the high seas off the east coast of Sabah on April 15, shooting and wounding another crew member.