Canadians identified as Robert Hall and John Ridsdel and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad (L-R) reportedly appeared in a video pleading for their governments to pay ransom within the one-month deadline set by the Abu Sayyaf Group – or the terrorists would kill them.
A total of 15 foreign nationals are in the hands of terror group Abu Sayyaf, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed.
AFP spokespersons BGen. Restituto Padilla and Col. Benjamin Hao told CNN Philippines these are the foreign nationals held by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), as of Wednesday (April 6):
- 1 Dutch: Ewold Hurn
- 1 Italian: Rolando del Torchio
- 2 Canadians: John Ridsdel and Robert Hall
- 1 Norwegian: Kjartan Sekkingstad
- 10 Indonesians: Peter Tonsen Barahama, Julian Philip, Alvian Elvis Peti, Mahmud, Surian Syah, Surianto, Wawan Saputra, Bayu Octavianto, Reynaldi, Wendi Raknadian
The three men reportedly appeared in a video that circulated in March, pleading to their governments to pay ransom within the one-month deadline set by their abductors – or the terrorists would kill them.
Related: Foreign captives held by Philippine militants appeal for help
CNN Philippines could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
Padilla said ransom is the "primary motivation” for the kidnappings.
In a November 2015 video, Ridsdel said the militants were demanding P1 billion ($21 million) for each one of the kidnap victims.
Related: Abu Sayyaf demands P4B ransom for Samal kidnap victims
The three foreigners were abducted from a resort on Samal Island, Davao City, in September 2015, together with one Filipina.
From left: Kjartan Sekkingstad, John Ridsel, Robert Hall, and Marithes "Tess" Flor
Related: 'Intense rescue effort' launched for abducted foreigners
The AFP list of foreign hostages does not yet include the four Malaysian tugboat crew members abducted by suspected members of the ASG off the east coast of Sabah on April 1.
It has not yet been confirmed if the kidnapped Malaysians are being held by the ASG, Padilla said on Wednesday.
AFP not cowed by threats
The AFP has assured the public it is not easing up on the pursuit of the abductors.“Focused military operations continue in known havens of Kidnap for Ransom (KFR) groups. There has been no let-up in these activities and our primordial consideration is the safety of kidnap victims,” Padilla told CNN Philippines.
Related: Malacañang reiterates 'no ransom policy' amid Abu Sayyaf threat
“We will not be cowed by these threats and will remain focused on achieving our mission of making these criminals accountable for their evil acts and hopefully ending this criminal activity with the help of the LGUs (local government units).”
The Western Mindanao-based ASG has been blacklisted by the United Nations Security Council for having ties with the Al Qaeda network and has been declared a terrorist organization by several governments, including Australia and the United States.
Watch: What is the Abu Sayyaf Group?
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/04/07/Abu-Sayyaf-kidnap-victims.html
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