Tuesday, April 26, 2016

DND condemns ASG beheading of Canadian hostage

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 26): DND condemns ASG beheading of Canadian hostage

The Department of National Defense (DND) strongly condemns the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) for its brutal beheading of Canadian hostage John Ridsel on Monday.

"We strongly condemn this brutal act by this barbaric extortionist group," DND spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez said.

"This further fuels our resolve for the continuous operations until all remaining hostages are rescued and they are neutralized," he added.

On Monday, unconfirmed reports came out claiming that the ASG has beheaded one of its three foreign captives after governments 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.

Hostages still held captive by 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," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla earlier said.

President Benigno S. Aquino III has earlier directed acting AFP Chief Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda and Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez to conduct appropriate military and law enforcement operations to rescue the hostages.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=879713

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