Philippine military hopeful raids may spur hostage release

The Philippine military is hoping operations against Abu Sayyaf militants in the country's southern islands will force the group to free some of its hostages.

But Brig.-Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr., a spokesman for the Philippine Armed Forces, is warning the kidnappers are unlikely to give up their Western hostages, including Canadian Robert Hall.

"I think they have been categorizing the other nationals, especially the Canadians and the Norwegian, as higher value hostages than the rest of the hostages they have," Padilla said.

Padillais holding out hopesome captives may be released as the Philippine military continues to put pressure on the militants.

"We see that the applied force that has been on the ground for several days, almost a week now, is ... causing them to release hostages so they can move freer," he said.

• Analysis: A hostage's death in the Philippines tests a new government
• Philippine officials work to ID body found near whereRidsdel was slain
• Trudeau says Canada 'does not and will not pay ransom to terrorists'
• Abu Sayyaf has 25-year record of kidnappings and bombings

In a telephone interview,Padilla said the military has been operating in the southern Philippines in an area where militants are believed to be holding captives, including Hall.

Hall was taken last September along with another Canadian, John Ridsdel, a Norwegian man, Kjartan Sekkingstad, and a Filipina, Marites Flor.

The kidnappers had demanded roughly $8.3 million each for the foreigners' release.

Ridsdel was beheaded this week when those demands were not met by a deadline that expired on Monday.

'Full force of military power is being applied'

As operations continue,Padilla saidthe military recognizes the danger that the kidnappers may kill their hostages rather than free them, but says the safety of the captives remains the top priority of Philippine authorities.

As for possible Canadian help with operations against Abu Sayyaf, Padilla says "there have been offers of help" but adds that, right now, the Philippine military is working on its own.

"The full force of military power is being applied," he said, including resources from the army, navy, air force, marines and coast guard.

He notedthe operation "is challenging to a very high degree," but said the military remains firm in its resolve.

Abu Sayyaf militants enjoy a high level of support in the region. The group's fighters have family ties to local villagers and know the area well.

"From a tactical view, they have mastery of the terrain," Padilla said.

"There will be no let up until we get to these groups' hideouts and hopefully rescue the victims."

The Philippine military has faced a tough fight against Abu Sayyaf. The group has operated for more than two decades despite government efforts to stamp it out.

Just this month, 18 Philippinesoldiers were killed in a single battle.

Phil Gurski, a security expert and former strategic analyst with CSIS, says the Philippine military has had a "hit and miss" record tacklingthe group.

With the death of John Ridsdel, Gurski says themilitary is under pressure to take action. But given Abu Sayyaf'srecord,heisn't sure how likely it is militants would simply abandon their hostages, no matter how much pressure they are under.