Misuari negotiating release of remaining Samal hostages

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Fugitive Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari is negotiating with the Abu Sayyaf for the release of three hostages taken from a resort on Samal Island. 

Misuari wants Canadian Robert Hall, resort manager Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipina Marites Flor freed on or before the Ramadan next month, said Habib Mujahab Hashim, chairman of the MNLF’s Islamic Command Council. 

“The negotiation is without payment of any ransom. It is based on humanitarian grounds and as brother Muslims,” Hashim said.

Canadian John Ridsdel, who was kidnapped together with Hall, Sekkingstad and Flor, was beheaded on April 25.

The Abu Sayyaf threatened to behead the remaining hostages if their P300-million  ransom demand for each of them was not met.

Hashim said Misuari is also negotiating for the release of the remaining hostages of the Abu Sayyaf, including Dutch Elwold Horn, who was taken in February 2012 as well as four Indonesians and four Malaysians. 

Hashim said Misuari facilitated the release of 10 Indonesian captives on May 1.

 ”His appeal is for the release of all the hostages,” he said.

Hashim said the negotiations are being held secretly because Misuari remains in hiding.