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| Southeast Asia |
| Abu Sayyaf threaten to behead hostages in video |
| 2015-06-25 |
| [AA.TR] The Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf ...also known as al-Harakat al-Islamiyya, an Islamist terror group based in Jolo, Basilan and Zamboanga. Since its inception in the early 1990s, the group has carried out bombings, kidnappings, murders, head choppings, and extortion in their uniquely Islamic attempt to set up an independent Moslem province in the Philippines. Abu Sayyaf forces probably number less than 300 cadres. The group is closely allied with remnants of Indonesia's Jemaah Islamiya and has loose ties with MILF and MNLF who sometimes provide cannon fodder... group has posted a video online which shows three hostages begging for their ransoms to be paid as their abductors stand by threatening to behead them. The 3-1/2 minute clip that appeared late Wednesday shows Aliguay Island Barangay village chief Rudy Boligao and coastguards Rodlyn Pagaling and Gringo Villaruz blindfolded, kneeling, making their pleas. Meanwhile, ...back at the argument, Livia had made her point with her knee to Jane's stomach... seven masked gunnies, one of them armed with a machete, stand by threatening to execute the men. Boligao, Pagaling and Villaruz were kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf affiliates at a beach resort in Aliguay Island, Dapitan City - home to two high-end resorts frequented by foreign and domestic tourists - in Zamboanga del Norte in the southern Philippines on May 4. Authorities had earlier told Anadolu Agency that around 15 Abu Sayyaf gunnies clad in military and police uniforms had landed in Barangay Aliguay Island and kidnapped the victims, and then fled in an unknown direction. The suspects had reportedly introduced themselves as police and military personnel and asked about the presence of tourists. In Wednesday's footage, Pagaling is the first to beg for help from President Benigno S. Aquino III, family members and government officials saying that their captors intend to kill them. A machete was raised above his neck as he talked in front of the camera. "I am Rod Pagaling and a coastguard... We are calling the government to help us, especially the president... President Aquino help us... Help us... They will kill us... Have mercy on us... To the officials and government to our family help us," Pagaling says in his native Tagalog. |
| Posted by:Fred |