Monday, April 25, 2016

Abu Sayyaf Group beheads hostage

From CNN Philippines (Apr 26): Abu Sayyaf Group beheads hostage



The head of one of the foreigners kidnapped in Samal last year was found in Jolo, Sulu on Monday night (April 25).

The Abu Sayyaf Group has beheaded one of four hostages kidnapped on Samal Island last September.

A police report obtained by CNN Philippines said the severed head is believed to belong to Canadian hostage John Ridsdel, who was killed after no ransom was paid by the deadline set by the rebel group.

The severed head was found in Jolo, Sulu on Monday night (April 25).

The police report said two unidentified men aboard a motorcycle without a plate number threw the head somewhere along Marina Street, Barangay Walled City, Jolo at around 7:35 p.m.

It was wrapped in a plastic bag.

Jolo Police Chief Supt. Junpikar Sitin immediately went to the site, cordoned off the area and, informed the Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) team, which confirmed the head belonged to Ridsdel.

Ridsdel along with three others were kidnapped on Samal Island in September 2015.
The others kidnapped in Samal were Robert Hall, also Canadian; Kjartan Sekkingstad, a Norwegian; and a Filipina named Marithes "Tess" Flor.

The Abu Sayyaf Group initially asked for P1 billion for each of the four hostages, but lowered it to P300 million after moving the deadline from April 8 to April 25.

Read: Abu Sayyaf demands P4B ransom for Samal kidnap victims

The three men 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

President Benigno Aquino III earlier ordered the police and military to exert all  effort to rescue the victims following the deadline of the Abu Sayyaf.

Read: Who are the Abu Sayyaf?

The government, however, maintained its no ransom policy.

Read: Malacañang reiterates 'no ransom policy' amid Abu Sayyaf threat

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/04/26/abu-sayyaf-group-behead-hostage.html

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