Abus set June 13 deadline for hostages, insist on P600M ransom

The Abu Sayyaf Group released a new video threatening to execute one of its foreign hostages if a ransom of P600 million pesos is not paid by June 13.

“I appeal to my government and the Philippine government, as I have appealed before, for help,” said Canadian Robert Hall in the video posted in the SITE Intelligence Group on May 13.

READ: Abu Sayyaf holding Canadian, Norwegian sets new ransom deadline

An English text that came up with the video said that the hostage will be beheaded by 3 p.m. on June 13 if the ransom is not paid on the same day.

The video was released three weeks after Canadian John Ridsdel, who was abducted at the same time as Hall, was beheaded.

READ: Beheaded despite P20-M ransom

Hall, Ridsdel and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, with Filipina Marites Flor, were abducted in 2015 on Samal Island, Davao del Norte.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said that while they have yet to see the video, their operations have not stopped.

“We are still working to rescue all kidnap victims and pressure the kidnap-for-ransom groups to release them,” said AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.

He also maintained that the military is implementing a no-ransom policy.

“We encourage all those other parties who are negotiating to please desist from paying. We only strengthen these groups,” he said. RAM/rga