Remaining foreign hostages of the Abu Sayyaf still alive –DFA

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday said all foreign hostages of the Abu Sayyaf are still alive despite the expiration of its deadline for ransom payments on Monday.

A News TV Live report said DFA Secretary Jose Almendras has declined to give further comments on the hostages' possible whereabouts, but maintained that the Philippines continues its high-level communication with the concerned countries.

At present, the Abu Sayyaf is holding captive another Canadian, a Norwegian and a Filipino woman who were kidnapped with Ridsdel last year. It is also holding 14 Indonesian and four Malaysian tugboat crewmembers abducted in three incidents off Tawi-Tawi.

Almendras said he also has no information on the Filipina hostage of the al Qaeda-linked group.

A DFA statement on Tuesday said it "has been playing an active role in the overall government effort since the time of the abductions, particularly in closely engaging the concerned countries." 

"Over the past few weeks, we have stepped up our coordination efforts with Canada, Norway, Indonesia, and Malaysia," it added.

Almendras maintained the Philippine government learned of the beheading of John Risdel ahead of the Canadian government.

A headless corpse believed to be that of Ridsdel was found in Talipao, Sulu, on Wednesday morning.

Ridsdel's head was found inside a yellow sack left by unidentified men at the Jolo municipal hall on Monday.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines promised no let-up in the ongoing operations against the Abu Sayyaf. 

Meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino III promised to use the full resources of the country against the group to rescue the remaining hostages, and ensure the safety of the civilian population.  —Joseph Tristan Roxas/KBK, GMA News