Report: Sayyaf threatens to behead 3 abducted teachers

MANILA, Philippines - After beheading last weekend a farmer it took hostage, the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Basilan province has threatened to behead three teachers it is holding if ransom wouldn’t be paid for their release. Radio dzXL reported Tuesday the bandits would start the executions in 15 days' time. The report quoted government's Task Force Trillium, the group organized to deal with the hostage crisis in the province, as saying the bandits made the ultimatum through one Den Mungkay, said to be from the special operations group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Still held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf are Rafael Mayonada, Quizon Freirez and Jeannette delos Reyes, all of the Landang Gua Elementary School on Sacol Island in Zamboanga City. In Sulu province, the ASG is still holding Italian Eugenio Vagni, one of the three International Committee of the Red Cross workers it seized on January 15. Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba was released on April 2, while Swiss Andreas Notter was freed on Paril 18. - GMANews.TV