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| Southeast Asia |
| Abu Sayyaf militants holding hostages demand halt to military attacks |
| 2015-10-16 |
| [Mindanao Examiner] Abu Sayyaf militants holding two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipina have demanded a halt in all military operations against them to allow negotiations for the safe release of their hostages in the southern Philippines. The four were kidnapped on September 21 an upscale resort off Davao del Norte province and believed to have been brought to Sulu. In a video posted on Facebook, the foreigners have appealed to the Canadian government and the Philippines to stop the military assault. The Philippine military did not issue any statement about the Abu Sayyaf demands, but it could, as it has in the past, stop operations to allow negotiations. In October last year, the Abu Sayyaf released two German yachters after receiving P250 million ransom delivered to Sulu by a private plane under tight military guard. Abu Sayyaf spokesman Aboo Rami told a radio station that ransom was paid for the release of the Germans and even posted a photo of the stacks of money on Twitter. The Abu Sayyaf previously demanded Germany to cease all support to the US coalition campaign against Daesh in Syria. It is not known whether the same group is also holding the four hostages. |
| Posted by:ryuge |