OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — The Canadian government said Monday it was investigating reports that one of its nationals kidnapped by Islamic militants in the southern Philippines nearly nine months ago had been killed. “The Government of Canada is aware of reports that a Canadian citizen has been executed,” the Canadian foreign affairs ministry said in a statement. “We are pursuing all appropriate channels to seek further information and are in close contact with Philippines authorities.” […]
Tag: HOSTAGES
Hostage taker shot dead at Moscow bank
MOSCOW , Russia (AFP) — Russian special forces on Wednesday shot dead a man who had taken hostages at a Moscow bank, local media cited the police as saying. “A man wearing a balaclava entered the bank and threatened the employees with an object resembling a gun,” Interfax news agency quoted the police as saying. The man had requested 4.7 million rubles ($70,800) and 13,000 euros from a branch of the Moscow Credit Bank in […]
Malacañang reiterates commitment to rescue remaining hostages from Abu Sayyaf
MANILA, Philippines — Malacanang has reiterated its commitment to rescue the remaining hostages being held by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). According to reports, the group has circulated online a video showing the beheading of Canadian John Ridsdel last week. The ASG has also released a video of the remaining three captives pleading to the Canadian and Philippine governments to meet the group’s demands. Addressing the latest threat, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said […]
Philippines: Five things to know about the Abu Sayyaf
MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic militant group from the southern Philippines notorious for abducting foreigners, beheaded a Canadian hostage on Monday. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “outraged” by the killing, and authorities were trying to free another Canadian still being held along with a Norwegian man and a Filipina. Here are five facts about Abu Sayyaf: Origins The group is a radical offshoot of a Muslim separatist insurgency that has […]
Philippine militants holding foreigners set ransom deadline
MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Islamic militants holding two Canadians and a Norwegian in the southern Philippine jungles have set a one-month deadline for millions of dollars in ransom to be paid, according to a video released Thursday. In the video posted on a local jihadist group’s Facebook page, the emaciated victims said they would be killed if the ransom was not paid. Canadian tourists John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian resort manager Kjartan Sekkingstad and […]
Jordan, Japan seek news of Islamic State prisoners
Japan and Jordan scramble to find out what has happened to two of their nationals being held by Islamic State, after a deadline passed for the release of a would-be suicide bomber being held on death row in Amman. On Friday evening (January 30) Japanese deputy foreign minister Yasuhide Nakayama told reporters in Amman, where he is anchoring Japan’s on-the-ground response, that saving journalist Kenji Goto was Japan’s “only purpose”. “As everyone knows quite well, […]
