Suspected Abu Sayyaf abductors of two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipino woman on Samal Island off Davao City last Sept. 21 suddenly released a video of their victims apparently timed to coincide with the arrival in Manila sometime next week of newly sworn Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
There are no known negotiations for their release although sources in Manila told Metrovan Independent News that the initial demand was one billion pesos for each Canadian.
Police identified the victims as Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, who was the resort’s marina manager, and Canadians John Ridsdel, 68 and Robert Hall 50. The Filipino woman was identified as Teresita Flor, Hall’s common law partner. Ridsdel is reportedly a former reporter of Calgary Herald.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs, said Canada was “pursuing all appropriate channels to seek further information.” Releasing more information “may compromise ongoing efforts and risk endangering the safety of Canadian citizens.”
Canada’s footprint in the Philippines is small, so Canadian officials are likely working closely with Philippine authorities to contact the hostage-takers, perhaps through an intermediary, it was earlier reported.
Shirley Anthony, spokeswoman for Calgary-based mining firm, TVI Pacific Inc., where Ridsdel serves as a consultant, said the company was “doing all it can to secure John’s release and help his family through this difficult time.”
Canada listed Abu Sayyaf as a terrorist group in 2003. While the group wants to establish an Islamic state in Southern Philippines, it “primarily uses terrorism for profit, kidnap-for-ransom, guerrilla warfare, mass-casualty bombings, and beheadings are particularly favored tactics,” according to the Public Safety Canada website.
Kidnapped hostages of suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorist group.
Canada is now going outside its borders to prosecute individuals suspected in certain transnational crimes. The RCMP charged a Somali national earlier this year in connection with the 2008 kidnapping of journalist Amanda Lindhout near Mogadishu.
At least 11 men armed with pistols arrived on a motorboat and entered the Holiday Ocean View Samal Resort before midnight Monday on Samal Island off Davao City, military officials said, citing a security video that captured part of the kidnapping.
The gunmen attempted to seize an American and his Japanese companion on one of the yachts docked at the marina, but the couple resisted and escaped by jumping off the boat. The two suffered minor injuries as they struggled to break free from the kidnappers, police said.
Amid the commotion, Ridsdel, Hall and Flor rushed out of their yacht and were taken. Government forces later heard of the abductions and launched a search.
“Unfortunately, the lead time that the abductors had and the darkness of night were able to cover the retreat of the abductors,” military spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla told reporters.
Government forces on planes and helicopters were scouring the waters and coastal areas in the Davao Gulf, according to Padilla and the police.
A spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada in an email said that the government “is aware of reports that Canadian citizens were kidnapped in the Philippines.”
“Canada is pursuing all appropriate channels to seek further information,” the department said.
