Presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte speaks at a press conference in Davao City, Monday. Duterte expressed openness on the return to the Philippines of Jose Maria Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front, to participate in peace talks.(MNS photo)
DAVAO CITY, May 26 (Mabuhay) – Incoming president Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday disclosed that he talked with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the Canadian kidnap victims of the Abu Sayyaf group and other concerns.
In a press conference which started before midnight on Wednesday, Duterte said he and Trudeau had a talk over the phone at around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Manila time.
Among the topics they discussed were respect for human rights and the Canadian hostage of the Abu Sayyaf group.
Duterte described their conversation as a “civil one.”
“We are partners, we remain to be partners for all time. I’m aware there are Filipinos, a lot are working there, some are immigrants and I’m happy they have found protection in your labor laws,” Duterte quoted himself as saying, when asked what he told the Canadian leader.
The long-time Davao City mayor said he also apologized that Canadian citizens were kidnapped in the Philippines. One of the two Canadian hostages, John Ridsdel, was beheaded late April after the bandit group’s ransom demand was not met. His head was found April 25 in Jolo, Sulu.
“I said I’m very sorry for the incident which resulted in the killing of your national and we will try our very best and see to it that this will not happen again and you can rest assure that when the time comes, we will be able to apprehend the criminals and exact justice,” Duterte said.
The incoming Duterte administration is set to inherit the problems caused by the Abu Sayyaf Group, which has intensified its kidnapping activities.
The beheaded Ridsdel was abducted with fellow Canadian Robert Hall, Norwegian resort manager Kjartan Sekkingstad, and Filipina Marites Flor while on vacation on Samal Island in September 2015.
In the latest video released by Abu Sayyaf, Hall is seen appealing to Duterte to save him and fellow hostages. He asked Duterte to work for their release immediately as they were “three-quarters dead.”
The Abu Sayyaf had threatened to behead one of four captives if the 300 million pesos ($6.4 million) ransom for each of them was not paid. The initial demand was one billion pesos each for the detainees.
The Philippine government adheres to a “no ransom policy,” although it is widely believed that captives are only freed by the group after a ransom, euphemistically called “board and lodging fee,” has been paid. (MNS)