Militant group Abu Sayyaf demands billions for foreign hostages

(Photo from Twitter)

The Abu Sayyaf, an Islamist militant group, has released a video on Tuesday where they demanded P1-billion ransom for the three foreigners kidnapped in a resort in Samal Island on September.

In a video uploaded by SITE Intelligence Group, a Maryland-based company that tracks activities of Jihadists and White supremacists, Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel, and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad pleaded for the ransom to be paid. Marites Flor, Filipina girlfriend of Hall who was also kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf did not speak in the video.

“I’m Kjartan Sekkingstad. I’m OK for now. I’m (held) hostage for one billion pesos. Please, please pay this group. Take them seriously because they are dangerous, they are serious in their demands,” said the Norwegian national and manager of Holiday Oceanview resort where the four were abducted.

“My name is Robert Hall. I’m a Canadian citizen and being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf for one billion pesos. These people are serious and they very treacherous so take them seriously. Help us. Get us out of here,” said Hall.

With a bolo pointed at his neck, Risdel, a mining consultant for Calgary-based TVI Pacific Inc., pleaded to the Canadian government for help.

“My name is John Ridsdel. I’m also being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf Group. We’re being ransomed for one billion pesos each. I appeal to the Canadian Prime Minister and the people of Canada to please pay this ransom as soon as possible.”

The hostages have earlier appeared in a video released three weeks ago on Youtube, where they asked the authorities to stop military operations for negotiations to start.

Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor of the Philippine National Police said that the government will not grant the Abu Sayyaf’s demand for ransom money.

“The PNP adheres to the principle of no-ransom policy. Rest assured that the operations of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are continuing to ensure their safety. That is the primordial concern of the PNP and the AFP,” said Mayor in a press briefing, as reported by Manila Bulletin.