Abu Sayyaf hostage tells family they were in ‘very dangerous situation’
After Canadian hostage John Ridsdel was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf, the Philippine military has come under heavier pressure to save the hostages still held by the militant group.
READ: Head of ‘Abu Sayyaf captive’ dumped on Sulu street – police
Wong Chie Ming, father of one of the Malaysian hostages Wong Teck Chi, said his son called him last Saturday night that they were in very dangerous situation and had to be on constant run as military planes were dropping bombs every now and then.
The hostage takers have demanded that their families pay the ransom before April 30 or they would all be beheaded.
When visited by ruling party Barisan National candidates in Sibu, the hostages’ families said the abductors were unwavering in their attitude and they worried the hostages would be killed if no ransom is received.
The conversation between Wong and his father has been recorded and shared widely via social media sites such as WhatsApp, WeChat and Facebook.
In the latest conversation, Wong told his father the hostages would be beheaded if the money is not received by May.
The elder Wong said today the abductors had not told them how to hand in the ransom money and the families had no idea exactly how much they had demanded.
A female relative said she believed the abductors would get the hostages to call their families again these two days.
It has been learned that there are more than two dozens of hostages still held by the Abu Sayyaf, including the four Malaysians.
In the meantime, Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem said the state government would help the families of four Sarawakian hostages abducted by the Abu Sayyaf in southern Philippines.
He told the media after launching the state BN’s election manifesto that the state government must extend the assistance.
However he said the matter was currently handled by the Foreign Ministry.
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