Philippine gov't rejects demand for hostage ransom

The Philippine government will not give in to the demand of four billion pesos (85.44 million U.S. dollars) ransom being demanded by Abu Sayyaf Group for the release of four hostages that they have abducted in a resort in southern part of the country in September, a senior government official said Wednesday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a news briefing at Malacanang, the presidential palace, that it is the government's policy not to pay ransom to kidnappers.

"We do not negotiate in instances like this," she said, adding, "the tracking, the search and rescue operations are still ongoing as we speak."

A video posted on social media showed the four hostages, two Canadians, a Norwegian and a female Filipino, surrounded by their armed kidnappers, whose faces were covered. In the same video, ransom of one billion pesos was being asked for each of them.

Valte said authorities did not need to verify the veracity of the video, stressing, "to us, the ransom does not have an impact at least because we don't negotiate."

The four hostages were seized by armed men at Holiday Ocean View Samal Resort in Samal Island in September. Endit