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Abu Sayyaf demands over 60 mln USD ransom for three foreigners

Xinhua, November 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is demanding 1 billion pesos (21.37 million U.S. dollars) for each of the three foreigners seized from a resort in Samal island in Davao del Norte of southern Philippines last Sept. 21, according to a video released on the Internet.

In the video, one of the kidnap victims -- Canadian John Ridsdel, 68, appealed to the Canadian government to heed the demand of their captors, who stood behind the hostages and fully armed.

"We're being ransomed for each for one billion pesos. I appeal to the Canadian Prime Minister and the people of Canada, please pay this ransom as soon as possible or our lives are in great danger," said Ridsdel.

Another Canadian hostage, Robert Hall, 50, said: "... I'm being held hostage by Abu Sayyaf for 1-billion pesos. These people are serious and very treacherous. Take them seriously. Help us, get us out of here."

Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, 56, manager of the raided Holiday Oceanview resort, said: "I'm okay for now. I am hostaged for 1 billion peso. Please, please pay this group. Take them seriously because they are dangerous, they are serious in their demands."

The three foreigners spoke while of their captors aimed a machete on their neck.

It was not clear when and where the video was shot. The video, which also showed a flag of the Islamic State, was posted by the Maryland research group SITE Intelligence Group on its website on Tuesday.

Sought for reaction, Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla initially said the military is not commenting on the latest video.

"The AFP has made a decision not to comment," said Padilla. Asked why, the official said: "In order not to dignify the latest development."

A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said operations were still ongoing in Sulu to locate the kidnappers and the victims.

The 400-strong ASG, founded in the early 1990s by Islamic extremists, is a violent Muslim terrorist group operating in the southern Philippines. The ASG is notorious for a series of kidnappings, bombings and even beheadings in southern Philippines over the past decades.

The ASG operates mainly in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi Provinces in the Sulu Archipelago and has a presence on Mindanao. Endit