MANILA // The Philippine military came under increased pressure to rescue more than 20 foreign hostages yesterday after their captors beheaded a Canadian man. Troops, however, faced a dilemma on how to succeed without endangering the remaining captives.
Abu Sayyaf extremists beheaded John Ridsdel on Monday in the southern province of Sulu, sparking condemnations and prompting Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, to pledge to help the Philippines pursue the extremists.
Ridsdel’s head, which was placed in a plastic bag, was dumped by militants on motorcycles on Monday night in Jolo, the provincial capital of Sulu.
Abu Sayyaf and its allied gunmen are believed to be holding 22 foreign hostages, including 14 Indonesians who were crew members of two tugboats hijacked in separate incidents this month and last month.
Indonesia’s president said yesterday that Jakarta would host talks with Malaysia and the Philippines this week to boost maritime security following the kidnappings at sea.
President Joko Widodo said the meeting, involving foreign ministers and military chiefs, would discuss joint patrols to protect shipping in the waters between the three countries.
Mr Widodo ruled out paying ransom for the hostages, even though many were believed to have been released after huge ransom payments in the past.
About 2,000 military personnel, backed with helicopters and artillery, are involved in the manhunt for the militants.
Ridsdel was killed after the militants failed to receive a high ransom demand by a Monday deadline.
One police official said the killing of five and wounding of about 16 Abu Sayyaf gunmen in a military assault three days before the execution may have angered the extremists and helped lead them to decide to kill him in revenge.
Ridsdel is survived by two adult daughters.
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