MALACAÑANG maintained Wednesday its policy of not paying ransom for the release of hostages despite the February 26 deadline set by the Abu Sayyaf Group that has been holding a German hostage.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the government had already instructed the military to sustain its offensive against the bandit group to try to rescue the captives of the terrorist group.
In a video clip, German national Jurgen Kantner appealed to heed Abu Sayyaf's P30-million ransom demand to spare his life from execution.
“The government stands firm on our no-ransom policy. The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) has been directed to continue and intensify its military operations,” Abella said in a statement.
Kantner, who was abducted off Sabah last November, said he would be executed at 3 p.m. of February 26, if the government fails to provide the ransom.
"The pirates, they are giving me a last chance, that they get P30 million. If the money is not in the hands of the pirates at this time, they will behead me," he said. (VoxPop Philippines)
