MANILA, Philippines (Reuters) — The Philippine military said on Friday (March 11) they will not negotiate with the Islamist militants who abducted two Canadians, a Norwegian, and a Filipino woman.
A video posted on a Facebook page linked to Philippine Islamists showed the hostages appealing for their governments to accept the demands of the militants and were given a one month deadline or face execution.
The four were kidnapped from a beach resort on a southern island in September last year. They are believed to be held in the jungle on Jolo island, a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf militant group, which is known for bombs, beheadings and kidnappings.
Philippines armed forces spokesperson Restituto Padilla said they were able to watch the video, but maintained the government’s stand against dealing with militant groups.
“It’s just the same; the policy on no negotiations with kidnappers includes no payment of ransom. We are also working closely with the governments of these foreign nationals and we have, to our satisfaction, been getting the cooperation of all these embassies in the country,” he said.
Padilla downplayed the militants’ one month ultimatum and assured the safety of the captives.
“You know, these kidnap for ransom groups often increase their demands for a shorter period of time. We believe that the operations we are conducting, is closely getting to them, and we’re getting closer to them and hence, they needed to expedite the demand for ransom in order for them to escape from the hands of the law, which is closely catching up,” he said.
Padilla declined to comment on the operational details, but said they were confident that they will be able to rescue the kidnapped hostages.
“Military operations in areas where known kidnap for ransom groups are operating continue relentlessly and they have not ceased. This is in our desire to help address this issue once and for all,” he said.
It was the third time the militants had released such video appeals from the captives.
One of the captives said in a video in November the militants were demanding one billion pesos ($21 million) for each of them.
The September raid on the resort was a reminder of the precarious security in the resource-rich southern Philippines despite a 2014 peace agreement with the largest Muslim rebel group that ended 45 years of conflict.
Abu Sayyaf militants are holding other foreigners including one from the Netherlands, one from Japan, and an Italian missionary.