• The Abu Sayyaf set a new deadline for the execution of their hostages
• A masked bandit said they will definitely behead one of the hostages at 3 p.m. on April 25
• The group also lowered their ransom demand
The Abu Sayyaf Group has set a new deadline for the execution of one of the four hostages kidnapped on a beach resort in Samal Island after the first target date, April 8, passed.
The extremist group, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or ISIS, said in a two-minute video released on Friday, April 15, that they will definitely behead one of the four captives at 3 p.m. on April 25.
Frances Mangosing of Inquirer mentioned in an article dated April 16, 2016 that the group also lowered their ransom demand from P1 billion each down to only P300 million per hostage.
“This is already an ultimatum. Once you don’t meet the demand, we will certainly behead one from among these four,” one of the gunmen standing behind the hostages said.
The video showed the four hostages, Canadians John Ridsel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, and Filipina Marites Flor, being surrounded by their heavily-armed captors.
The three foreign hostages were also seen appealing to their governments to meet the demands of the Abu Sayyaf on or before the new deadline.
“We were told that this is the absolute, final warning. This is our final urgent appeal to the governments and to our Canadian families,” John Ridsdell said in the video as a large knife is held across his neck.
Then the camera pans to Robert Hall who echoed Ridsdell’s appeal; adding: “My specific appeal is to the Canadian government, who I know has the capacity to get us out of here. I’m wondering what they’re waiting for.”
Sekkingstad also appealed to the Norwegian government, while the Filipina was not allowed to speak.
In Canada, the spokesman for the Canadian Foreign Ministry said the government is aware of the video, but will not comment or release information which may compromise ongoing efforts or endanger the safety of the Canadian citizens.
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