The government will continue its quest for the three
foreigners and a Filipino who were abducted by gunmen in a resort in Samal Island
in southern Philippines
This, even as a video of the victims and their captors was
posted online recently demanding for the government to stop the operations
against the group.
"Government's aim is to ensure their safety and secure
their release and all actions emanate from this," Presidential
Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a
statement.
Authorities have identified the victims as Canadian John
Ridsdel, 68; and Robert Hall, 50; resort owner Kjartan Sekkingstad,56, a
Norwegian; and Filipino Marites Flor, Hall's girlfriend. They were kidnapped
last September 21.
The victims were shown on the video sitting on the ground
and surrounded by at least eight men who are holding high-powered guns, with
one also holding a big knife.
The foreigners spoke on the video appealing to the military
to stop the operations against the kidnappers.
One of the gunmen also spoke, in English, reiterating their
demand.
Authorities maintain that they have not determined the group
behind the kidnapping nor do they know the whereabouts of the victims.
Army's 602nd Brigade spokesperson Captain Antonio Bulao was
quoted as saying that their operations in Jolo last October 8 was against Abu
Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron, who is in the US
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=815010
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