An audio recording believed to be those of two German hostages of the Abu Sayyaf has them appealing to both the Philippine and Germany governments "to do all they can" to get them out of captivity "as soon as possible" and anxious over their medical condition on top of the threat to their lives.
The audio recording was obtained by News5 a day after the military deployed an estimated 1,000 more soldiers to Mindao to augment the security force there after the Islamic militants threatened to kill one of two German hostages.
A military statement said an Army brigade was flown to the Sulu island group, where the Abu Sayyaf militants are believed to be holding the two German tourists, Stefan Viktor Okonek and Herike Diesen.
In the audio recording, a man introducing himself as Okonek, said he is a medical doctor who had looked forward to a holiday in the Philippines, but was instead seized from a yacht by the Abu Sayyaf. The 71-year old German said he is "suffering a lot" and worried that his "medical condition" is worsening. He held out the hope that "our government will do all they can" to secure their freedom.
Right after that comes a woman's voice, introducing herself as Diesen. She appealed to "the Philippine and German governments to do all they can...because I really wish to see my family again."
Diesen, 55, said the "situation here is very stressful" and was uncertain how much longer they can bear suffering. She worried about them contracting "tropical disease, malaria or something" in the jungle.
She concluded her plea by saying "we're very, very keen to get out of here as soon as possible."
Reinforcements vs Abu
The reinforcements will allow Philippine Marines who have been fighting the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu as well as on Basilan, another southern island, "to concentrate on their main tasks", northern Philippines military spokesman Major Calixto Cadano told Agence France-Presse Sunday
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin had announced on Friday that, to "stop the Abu Sayyaf once and for all", army troops will be dispatched to Sulu to help the marines there.
Gazmin has announced the Philippines would not negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf over its demands for about $5.62 million in ransom for the Germans.
He also downplayed alleged links between the group, which is blamed for the Philippines' worst terror attacks, to Islamic State jihadists fighting in Iraq and Syria.
Abu Sayyaf has threatened to kill one of two German hostages unless a ransom is paid and Berlin halts its support for the US-led campaign against the Islamic State group.
[Audio: German Hostage, appeal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEV-q5OzsNg]
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/96364/audio--german-hostages-plead-with-ph-german-govts-to-free-them-from-asg-as-soon-as-possible
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