Philippine President orders heightened operations to secure release of hostages in S. Philippines

Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III ordered Monday intensified operations against the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group to rescue the four hostages who were kidnapped in southern Philippine Samal Island last year.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino directed Acting Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief, Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director Ricardo Marquez, to conduct appropriate military and law enforcement operations to secure the release of the hostages.

Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, and Filipina Marithes Flor were abducted by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) from the Holiday Ocean View Samal Resort on September 21 last year.

The ASG has threatened to behead one of the hostages on April 25 at 3 p.m. if the government fails to pay the ransom demanded by the bandits.

"Maximum efforts are being exerted by a joint AFP-PNP task group to effect the rescue of four hostages who were kidnapped in Samal island after the ASG announced the possible beheading of one of its hostages. This follows intensified anti-ASG operations in Basilan and Sulu in recent weeks," Coloma said.

He said an estimated 400 Abu Sayyaf members and supporters are reportedly involved in the kidnapping.

He added that the president also ordered local authorities to cooperate with the AFP-PNP Task Force.

"The local authorities are instructed to extend cooperation to the joint task group and ensure the safety of citizens in the affected communities," said Coloma. Endit