Malacañang to Rescue the Remaining Hostages Held by Abu Sayyaf.
Rescue the Remaining Hostages. After the recent footage of the hostages was released showing two foreigners and one Filipino woman, the Malacañang has reiterated its commitment to rescue the remaining hostages who are being held by the Abu Sayyaf (ASG).
The group had earlier shown the beheading of Canadian John Ridsdel to which the Canadian Prime Minister condemned. The ASG also released another video of the hostages pleading for help from the Philippine and Canadian government.
In the video, the hostages pleaded to meet the group’s demand or else they will go with the same fate of Ridsdel.
In the recent threat, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said on Wednesday that the President himself has vowed the “full resources of the State” to bring down the ASG.
Coloma quoted the President Benigno Aquino III as saying that the primary objective is to rescue the remaining hostages and ensure the safety of the civilian population.
Aquino said that they will always act from a position of strength after considering the power of dialogue and positive engagement.
“We will not stop until the threat they pose to our communities is ended,” the President has said.
Canadian Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipina Maritess Flor formerly joined Ridsdel as captive on the ASG.
It was last September when the individuals were kidnapped while in a resort in Samal Island.