A representative of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte is in talks with two Sulu officials in an effort to save a Norwegian held captive by the Abu Sayyaf Group.
Duterte peace adviser Jesus Dureza said the two Sulu officials have links with the al Qaeda-linked bandit group.
Dureza and incoming Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello were shocked by the news that Abu Sayyaf militants had beheaded a second Canadian national, Robert Hall, last Monday after a deadline to pay ransom had passed.
The peace adviser said relatives of the Norwegian national and other hostages of Abu Sayyaf are not capable of paying the millions of pesos in ransom demanded by the militants.
"These families don't have money. I know that. Kung mayroon pa sila eh matagal nang binayaran 'yung hinihinging P300 million na ranso. Nakakaawa," said Dureza, who is also currently leading preliminary peace talks with communist leaders in Oslo, Norway.
Duterte spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said the Abu Sayyaf problem still rests with the outgoing Aquino administration since the president-elect has yet to assume office.
However, he also said Duterte "will not tolerate nor condone any illegality." He also said Duterte maintains a "no-ransom policy," but was also known for doing "backdoor operations" against the rebel group.
The Abu Sayyaf abducted Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad along with Hall, another Canadian national and a Filipina from an upscale resort in Samal Island in September 2015.
The al Qaeda-linked militants demanded a ransom of P300 million for their release, but the Philippine and Canadian governments, both reiterated a policy against paying ransom to terrorist groups.
Hall was executed on Monday afternoon, shortly after his ransom deadline expired. A severed head bearing close resemblance to his features was found near a cathedral in Jolo, Sulu on Wednesday.
John Ridsel, another Canadian national, was beheaded last April 25. Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and a Filipina are still being held by the Abu Sayyaf.
The Philippine and Canadian governments have condemned the crimes, with Malacañang vowing to neutralize the ragtag group of several hundred bandits.
Abu Sayyaf, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, is notorious for kidnapping victims for millions of dollars in ransom. It has also claimed responsibility for the worst terrorist attacks in the Philippines, including the firebombing of a ferry off Manila Bay in 2004 that left over 100 people killed. -- Report from Danny Beunafe, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Source: ABS-CBN
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