Manila:Two German hostages held by the Philippine Islamic group Abu Sayyaf appealed for their lives Monday, urging authorities in Berlin to pay a ransom and withdraw support from the international military operation against Islamic State (IS) militia in Iraq.
“I’m suffering a lot because I was taken hostage… and now I have to lay on the ground, to sleep on the ground… and my medical condition worsened, and I fear a lot for myself,” said the older of the two hostages, a 74-year-old man, in an interview with Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), media reported.
The other hostage, a woman, said she did not know how much longer they could endure life in the jungle.
“I would also like to address the Philippine and German governments to do all they can because I really wish to see my family again, and the situation here is very, very stressful,” said the 42-year-old.
The two tourists were yatching off the southern coast of the Philippines in April when they were captured by members of Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic Philippine outfit linked to the Al Qaeda.
Last Friday, Philippine Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said that the government would not negotiate with terrorists.
The terror group, comprising some 400 rebels, has said it also has been holding a Dutch and Swiss hostage since February, 2012, in addition to a Malaysian coast guard and a Chinese woman and her daughter.
Formed in 1991 by veterans of the Afghan war against the former Soviet Union, Abu Sayyaf has carried out bloody terror attacks in the Philippines as well as numerous abductions for ransom.