THE terror group Abu Sayyaf has threatened to behead another foreigner if the P600-million ransom for him is not delivered on June 13, its third deadline after it beheaded 68-year-old John Ridsdel, a Canadian citizen, on April 25.
The threat was contained in a new video posted on the internet, but the captors did not specify who among Robert Hall, a Canadian citizen, and Kjartan Sekkingstad, a Norwegian, would be beheaded.
The Abu Sayyaf is also holding Marites Flor, Hall’s girlfriend.
The terrorist group aired its new demand even as the Armed Forces said operations were still ongoing to rescue the hostages the Abu Sayyaf is holding.
“We have not stopped. We will not cease until these bandits and criminals are held accountable for their actions,” military spokesman Restituto Padilla said.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said they were now verifying with the Department of Foreign Affairs the new video released by the Abu Sayyaf Group.
“We are deferring to the DFA on this as this involves foreign nationals,” Coloma said in a statement.
All the captives together with Ridsdel were abducted by the terrorists in August last year in a beach resort on Samal Island and took them to Sulu.
“I appeal to my government and the Philippine government, as I have appealed before, for help,” Hall said in the video. with PNA