Two Canadian hostages in the Philippines shown in new video: Reports

File photo: Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel appear in a video released by militant group Abu Sayyaf earlier.
(Photo from Twitter)

Media reports say Islamic extremists have released another video purportedly showing two Canadians abducted in the southern Philippines.

It is the third video released by militants since the abductions last September.

Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel—along with a Norwegian man and a Filipino woman—were kidnapped from a resort by members of Abu Sayyaf—a local group that has pledged allegiance to Islamic State jihadists in Iraq and Syria.

Various media reports say the video was uploaded on social media sites on Thursday.

According to the media reports, the hostages—looking frail and emaciated—say the militants have threatened to kill them unless a ransom is paid within 30 days.

In an earlier video released late last year, the militants demanded more than $60 million for the release of the four hostages.

The Philippine government maintains a no-ransom policy, and has previously said there would be no letup in efforts to secure the hostages’ freedom in the safest way possible.

Reuters news agency quoted a Philippine military spokesman as saying the military is getting closer to the band of militants.