Duterte to Work on the Release of Samal Kidnap Victims Only If He is the President

Davao City (PNA) — President-elect Rodrigo Duterte vowed to work for the release of the remaining foreign nationals and a Filipina kidnapped by armed men from the Island Garden City of Samal still held captive by the Abu Sayyaf Group.

During a midnight press conference Wednesday, Duterte told reporters he already had his plans for the ASG but would only put it into action once he assumes the Presidency.

“I have something in my mind but nobody would be privy to that except the military and police. I intend to do it when I am there in the Office of the President,” he said.

It may be recalled that on Tuesday, reports on the latest ASG video showed Samal kidnap-victims Canadian Robert Hall and his Filipina girlfriend Marites Flor, and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad appealed for Duterte’s help in gaining their freedom.

“We have a hundred people heavily armed around us all the time that dictate to us and talk to us like children. We’ve been humiliated in every way possible. One of us has already been murdered. We hope that you can work on our behalf as soon as possible to get us out of here. Please, the sooner the better. We’re three-quarters dead right now. Thank you,” Hall said in the video.

Hall, Sekkingstad, Flor and Canadian John Ridsdell were kidnapped by armed men from the Ocean View Marina in the Island Garden City of Samal on Sept. 21, 2015. Ridsel was beheaded last April 25 after the Canadian and Philippine governments did not pay the Php300 million ransom demanded by the ASG.

The ASG has again threatened to behead one of the remaining Samal Island hostages if their ransom demands for the four, amounting to Php600 million, are not paid by 3 p.m. on June 13.

Meanwhile, Duterte is set to meet his friend Nur Misuari, the chair of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) over reports of a supposed snub to Misuari’s emissary Rev. Absalom Cerveza at the Matina Enclaves last May 16.

Duterte said he was getting in touch with Misuari’s camp for his visit to Jolo since the latter could not come out in public because he is considered a fugitive.

Duterte’s impending Jolo visit raised speculations he might asked Misuari’s help for the release of the kidnap victims. It may be recalled that the MNLF facilitated the release of the Indonesian nationals taken hostage by the ASG.

But Duterte would not confirm since his purpose is only to personally talk to Misuari over the snub issue. The mayor explained that there was no intention to snub Cerveza or the MNLF because no information reached him or his office about Cerveza’s appointment. (PNA) RMA/LILIAN C. MELLEJOR/LDP