Military and police authorities have confirmed Tuesday that
Canadian John Ridsel, of the four hostages taken by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)
bandits last Sept. 21 in Island Garden City of Samal, Davao Del Norte, has been
beheaded by his captors.
"We extend our sympathy and condolences to the Canadian
government and to the family of Mr. John Ridsdel who died in the hands of the
ASG bandits," the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Last Monday, unconfirmed reports came out claiming that the
ASG has beheaded one of its three foreign captives after the government of the
latter refused to give in to the bandits' ransom demand.
The brigands earlier demanded a PHP1-billion ransom from
each of the three foreign captives and threatening to kill them if the ransom
is not paid.
The ASG earlier set an April 8 deadline for the ransom but
this was moved to April 25, hence the brutal beheading of Ridsel somewhere in
Sulu.
Still at the ASG clutches are Canadian Robert Hall,
Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingtad and Filipina Marites Flor, Hall's girlfriend.
"There will be no let up in the determined efforts of
the joint AFP-PNP task group's intensive military and law enforcement
operations to neutralize these lawless elements and thwart further threats to
peace and security. The full force of the law will be used to bring these
criminals to justice," Padilla added.
President Benigno S. Aquino III has earlier directed acting
AFP chief Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda and PNP head Director General Ricardo
Marquez to conduct appropriate military and law enforcement operations to
effect the rescue of the hostages.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=879642
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