A terrorist group in the Philippines released a video Tuesday demanding more than $100 million for the release of a four hostages, including two Canadian men, who were abducted from a resort in September.
The video, posted on the SITE Intelligence group’s website, shows the hostages sitting on the ground in front of several armed militants.
Former mining executive John Ridsdel, 68, and Robert Hall, 50, appear alongside Hall’s girlfriend Marites Flor and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad — the manager of the Ocean View Samal Resort the group was kidnapped from on Sept. 21.
READ MORE: Canadians kidnapped in the Philippines: Here’s what you need to know
Ridsdel and Hall are seen in the video with a long knife raised to their necks as they deliver messages.
“We’re being ransomed for each for one billion pesos. I appeal to the Canadian Prime Minister and the people of Canada, please pay this ransom as soon as possible, or our lives are in great danger,” Ridsdel, says in the video.
“I’m a Canadian citizen. I’m being held hostage by Abu Sayyaf for one billion pesos,” Hall says. One billion pesos is equivalent to approximately CDN $28 million.
“These people are serious and very treacherous. Take them seriously. Help us, get us out of here,” Hall says under duress.
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Global News has not been able to independently verify the video but it appears similar to an earlier video release by the armed Islamists on Oct. 13. where the captors urge the Canadian government cease military operations and cooperate with the group.
READ MORE: Captors release video of Canadian hostages Robert Hall and John Ridsdel
The Abu Sayyaf Group is the most violent of the Islamist separatist groups operating in the southern Philippines. The al Qaeda-inspired group was founded in 1991, but recently pledged its allegiance to ISIS. The militants in the video stand in front of what appears to be a large ISIS flag, as they force their captives to deliver their demands.
The Department of Foreign Affairs could not be reached for comment on the video but said in an earlier statement “Canada is pursuing all appropriate channels to seek further information.”
“The Government of Canada will not comment or release any information which may compromise ongoing efforts and risk endangering the safety of Canadian citizens abroad,” said Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nicolas Doire.
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