Wednesday, October 15, 2014

AFP downplays new ASG threat to kill a hostage on Friday

From GMA News (Oct 15): AFP downplays new ASG threat to kill a hostage on Friday

The threat of the Abu Sayyaf Group that it would behead one of its two German hostages on Friday was only meant to stall operations for the rescue of the captives and force the authorities to continue negotiations, a ranking military official said on Wednesday.

The bandit group on Wednesday said that it would kill one of the hostages in Sulu if the government didn't give its demand for a P250-million ransom.

The two hostages were taken by the bandits while on board their yacht in waters between Palawan and Sabah in April.
 
“Those kind of actions are meant to pressure us to immediately give in to whatever demands they are seeking..They are doing that to pressure us to meet their demands,” Armed Forces of the Philippines Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General John Bonafos said.
 
Bonafos, however, admitted that he had no information on the chances the ASG would make good its threat.
 
“We are praying it will not push through,” Bonafos added.
 
ASG spokesman Abu Rami on Wednesday said in a radio interview that the bandit group was serious in its threat to kill one hostage on Friday.
 
“We’re in charge,” Rami said.

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