Philippines rejects ransom demand for 3 foreigners

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

Military and police security officials have maintained that the government will not pay a ransom in exchange for the release of three foreigners and a Filipina kidnapped in the southern Philippines.

Citing the government's "no-negotiation, no-ransom policy", Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, commander of the Armed Forces of Philippines' Western Mindanao Command, stressed that they do not negotiate.

"It is not in our level to negotiate," Guerrero told reporters Thursday morning. "The orders were for no let-up in military operations against the bandits in Sulu province."

An Al-Qaeda-linked group released a hostage video Tuesday setting out its demands for a 4 billion pesos ($85 million) ransom for the three foreigners and a Filipina.

The four were believed taken by the Abu Sayyaf from a resort on the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte province Sept. 21, 2015.

Guerrero, however, promised to ensure the safety of Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipino Maritess Flor.

Following the release of the video, the Canadian government issued a statement, saying that officials are in close contact with Filipino authorities and have been pursuing all appropriate channels to seek further information.

But Nicolas Doire, a Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman, said the department would not comment further or release additional information “which may compromise on-going efforts and risks endangering the safety of Canadian citizens abroad.”

Since 1991, the Abu Sayyaf -- armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles -- has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortions in a self-determined fight for an independent Islamic province in the Philippines.

It is notorious for beheading victims after ransoms have failed to be paid for their release.