Indonesian President Joko Widodo made the announcement on May 1.

The president also thanked the Filipino government for their cooperation in helping rescue ten Indonesians who were kidnapped by the extremist group Abu Sayyaf in March.

They are still working hard to save the remaining four Indonesian hostages captured by the group in a separate incident a few weeks later, he said.

Since Joko Widodo took office in 2014, he has made maritime security a top priority of the government’s agenda.

After 14 Indonesian sailors were taken hostage in March, the country’s authority has called on increased security against the threat of piracy and proposed that vessels travelling from Borneo in Indonesia to the Philippines should be escorted by armed ships.