MANILA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III ordered Monday intensified operations against the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group to rescue the four hostages who were kidnapped in southern Philippine Samal Island last year.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino directed Acting Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief, Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director Ricardo Marquez, to conduct appropriate military and law enforcement operations to secure the release of the hostages.
Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, and Filipina Marithes Flor were abducted by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) from the Holiday Ocean View Samal Resort on September 21 last year.
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