Video shows Canadians kidnapped in Philippines, says jihadi site monitor group

TORONTO – Suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen have demanded more than $60 million for two Canadians and a Norwegian they are holding in the jungles of the southern Philippines in the largest ransom the Muslim militants have sought.

Army Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado said Wednesday the Philippine government maintains a no-ransom policy, adding there would be no let-up in efforts by his troops to secure the hostages’ freedom in the safest way possible.

In a video that was circulated online by the U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi websites, the kidnappers and their captives say for the first time that the Abu Sayyaf was behind the Sept. 21 kidnappings.

Abu Sayyaf has been blacklisted by the United States and the Philippines as a terrorist organization.

The hostages — including Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall — were kidnapped from a southern Philippine resort.

It is the second video in the abductions. In a video released last month their captors demanded that government forces stop their artillery attacks.

–With files from The Canadian Press