The Abu Sayyaf group have pledged allegiance to the Islamist terrorist group ISIS.
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| Captives of Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines |
In September of 2015, two Canadians at a resort in Samal, province of Davao del Norte, Philippines, were kidnapped at gunpoint by 11 men in speedboats. The kidnapped Canadians are John Ridsdel, age 68, and Robert Hall, age 50.
The manager of the resort, a Norwegian citizen named Kjartan Sekkingstad was also kidnapped as was Marites Flor, a Filipino citizen who is a girlfriend of Robert Hall.
The Abu Sayyaf group is threatening to behead one or more of these captives on April 25, 2016, if a ransom of 300 million Philippine pesos, or $8.3 million Canadian is not paid by the Canadian Government.
The Canadian and Norwegian governments are not openly responding to these demands. These governments may be working behind the scenes to resolve this potential tragedy. Abu Sayyaf was identified by the Canadian government as a terrorist group as far back as 2003.
If you are a Canadian, you may contact your Member of Parliament to voice your concerns about this issue.
If you are a Norwegian, you may contact your Member of the Storting to voice your
concerns about this issue.
The world has changed drastically in the past 10 years. Terrorism has become a sad part of our way of life.
It is not advisable to go to countries in which the potential for terrorist attacks is very apparent. This includes vacationing in these countries, retiring to these countries and looking for employment in these countries.
However....many citizens of the "western world" stubbornly refuse to accept this fact. On March 18, 2015, a terrorist attack occurred at the Bardo Museum in Tunis, Tunisia. People were running for their lives amid gunfire. 22 people were killed and 50 wounded. Most of those killed were European tourists.
The manager of the resort, a Norwegian citizen named Kjartan Sekkingstad was also kidnapped as was Marites Flor, a Filipino citizen who is a girlfriend of Robert Hall.
The Abu Sayyaf group is threatening to behead one or more of these captives on April 25, 2016, if a ransom of 300 million Philippine pesos, or $8.3 million Canadian is not paid by the Canadian Government.
The Canadian and Norwegian governments are not openly responding to these demands. These governments may be working behind the scenes to resolve this potential tragedy. Abu Sayyaf was identified by the Canadian government as a terrorist group as far back as 2003.
If you are a Canadian, you may contact your Member of Parliament to voice your concerns about this issue.
If you are a Norwegian, you may contact your Member of the Storting to voice your
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| Pray for John, Robert, Kjartan and Marites. |
The world has changed drastically in the past 10 years. Terrorism has become a sad part of our way of life.
It is not advisable to go to countries in which the potential for terrorist attacks is very apparent. This includes vacationing in these countries, retiring to these countries and looking for employment in these countries.
However....many citizens of the "western world" stubbornly refuse to accept this fact. On March 18, 2015, a terrorist attack occurred at the Bardo Museum in Tunis, Tunisia. People were running for their lives amid gunfire. 22 people were killed and 50 wounded. Most of those killed were European tourists.
One would think that this would be a wake-up call to not go on a vacation to Tunisia.
Not so. Many more tourists flew to Tunisia for a holiday in this terror zone and three months later, on June 26, 2015, a terrorist attack occurred at Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia, which is a beach resort. 38 people were killed and 39 wounded. Most of those murdered were British tourists.
What is our first clue that certain countries are now off limits and may remain off limits for decades to come?
How many more incidents have to occur in countries known to harbor terrorists, before people stop going to these countries for holidays, retirement or employment?
Pray for John Ridsdel, Robert Hall, Kjartan Sekkingstad and Marites Flor. Pray that they are freed and are not harmed.
God help them. Amen.
Not so. Many more tourists flew to Tunisia for a holiday in this terror zone and three months later, on June 26, 2015, a terrorist attack occurred at Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia, which is a beach resort. 38 people were killed and 39 wounded. Most of those murdered were British tourists.
What is our first clue that certain countries are now off limits and may remain off limits for decades to come?
How many more incidents have to occur in countries known to harbor terrorists, before people stop going to these countries for holidays, retirement or employment?
Pray for John Ridsdel, Robert Hall, Kjartan Sekkingstad and Marites Flor. Pray that they are freed and are not harmed.
God help them. Amen.
2 comments:
Tragically, John Ridsdel has been murdered by the terrorists who kidnapped him. Pray for him and for his loved ones who have lost him.
Tragically, Robert Hall, has been murdered by Abu Sayyaf terrorists. Pray for him and for those who have lost him.
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