Two men who identify themselves as Canadians taken hostage last month in the Philippines have appeared at gunpoint in a video that is circulating online.
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“We are in grave danger… please help us”, is their message in the video released by the Abu Sayyaf group which is also holding two Malaysians, Thien Nyuk Fun, 50, and Bernard Then Ted Fen, 39, in the southern Philippines island.
At least a dozen masked gunmen, a few wearing military fatigues, surround the four hostages with weapons trained on them.
Reports have emerged that the current Philippines military offensive in Jolo, has forced the Abu Sayyaf gunmen to move all the hostages to safer ground in the jungle.
The hostages were identified to be John Ridsdel, a semi-retired former mining executive; fellow Canadian Robert Hall; Hall’s Filipino girlfriend Marites Flor; and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad.
The Filipina did not speak, but her moaning and a cell phone ringing can be heard on the background during the entire video that lasted a little over 2 minutes.
Asked about the video, a Canadian Foreign Ministry spokesman said the government was “pursuing all appropriate channels” to seek further information. Once your cooperation with us and to meet all the requirements.
One of the masked gunmen read a statement saying they would negotiate with the Canadian and Philippine governments and would issue their demands once the military assaults stopped. Both Canadians appealed to the Philippine and Canadian governments to stop military operations in the area.
A spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) told journalists Wednesday that authorities have seen the video and are evaluating it. spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla said he could not divulge operational details and would not comment on the identity of the kidnappers.
This was despite security analysts saying it was nearly certain the Abu Sayyaf was responsible, and that the victims were being held on Jolo island, the group’s stronghold about 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) south of Manila. Abu Sayyaf has a long history of kidnapping foreigners and local people for ransom.
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The Abu Sayyaf previously demanded Germany to cease all support to United States coalition campaign against ISIS in Syria which is fighting for Islamic caliphate. He echoes Hall’s pleas and warns that if the group’s demands are not met the hostages are under threat of being killed.
