MANILA, Philippines–Malacañang on Friday said the government was doing its best for the release of the hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf without paying any ransom, despite the bandit group’s recent threat to behead them. He issued the statement after a video, which shows Abu Sayyaf members threatening to behead their foreign captives, was uploaded on social media on Feb. 14. President Duterte, he said, has already ordered the military to crush the Abu Sayyaf and other terrorist groups in Mindanao. Unknown militant risesAmid the loss of leaders, an unknown Abu Sayyaf militant has risen to head the Islamic State (IS) group in Mindanao. They joined the Abu Sayyaf, which had just been organized by Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani, said MNLF leader Yusop Jikiri.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer February 22, 2019 23:03 UTC