This undated photo distributed by private terrorism monitor SITE Intelligence Group on Wednesday, September 23, reportedly shows two German hostages held by the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf group at an undisclosed location. The SITE reported that the Islamist militants said they would kill one of two German hostages unless a P250 million ($5.62 million, 4.4 million euros) ransom is paid and Berlin stops supporting the US-led campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. AFP
The Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police are moving to rescue the two German hostages of the Abu Sayyaf Group, a ranking military official said on Thursday.
Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrero, the chief of the AFP Western Mindanao Command, indicated that there was no ideology involved in the ASG's abduction of the Germans, its P250-million ransom demand, and its ultimatum that Germany stop supporting the campaign against the terrorist ISIS.
"They are taking advantage of the international attention ISIS is getting so that the ransom would increase. All their activities are criminal in nature," Guerrero said in a text message.
The ASG has expressed support for the ISIS.
Asked about the authorities' moves to rescue the Germans, Guerrero said, "There is a continuous effort by the AFP and the PNP."
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the Philippine government will not be intimidated by the ASG's threats.
“We do not negotiate with terrorists,” Gazmin said.
On Wednesday, Germany said it would not withdraw support for US action against jihadists in Iraq and Syria even with the ASG's threats against the two Germans.
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