AFP intensifies operations to rescue Samal hostages

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Government troops have intensified their operations to rescue three foreigners and a Filipina taken from a resort on Samal Island.

Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, yesterday said they are doing their best to rescue Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Marites Flor, who are reportedly being held by their captors in Sulu.

Tan said rescue operations are not dependent on the April 8 deadline set by the Abu Sayyaf.

In a video clip released on Facebook on March 8, the kidnappers said they would execute the hostages if their demands are not met. The Abu Sayyaf demanded a P1-billion ransom for each of the hostages. 

“The deadline set is the deadline of the Abu Sayyaf…we will do our best to rescue the kidnap victims the soonest time possible…their safety is our primary concern,” Tan said.

Meanwhile, Tan said they have intensified intelligence gathering to locate the 10 Indonesian and four Malaysian crewmembers of two boats, who were also reportedly kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf gunmen last week.  

He said they are consulting with their Indonesian and Malaysian counterparts on the actions to be taken to rescue the victims.

The military earlier said search operations were launched in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.