ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—The Sulu-based faction of the Abu Sayyaf, which has been holding German nationals, Dr. Stefan Viktor Okonek and Henrite Dielen, announced on Thursday they would execute the two captives on October 17 if their demands for a cash ransom were not met.

Speaking to reporters here via phone, Abu Rami, who claimed to be the spokesperson of Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron, said they would behead the Germans on Oct. 17 if the P250 million in cash that they had demanded were not delivered.

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The Abu Sayyaf snatched the two German nationals off Palawan in April.

Earlier, the same faction threatened to behead Okonek and Dielen on October 10 but Rami said the first date was only a “warning.”

“Today, we are going to tell you about the ultimatum – that after October 17, 2014, Friday at 3 p.m., you will not see any of them alive,” he said.

He said the Abu Sayyaf would make the beheading public.

“It will be seen by the public to show we are not playing games. We do not toy with Sharia Al Islamiya (Islamic law),” Rami added.

Rami said the Abu Sayyaf decided to behead the victims after it failed to get the attention of either the German or the Philippine government.

He also hinted that it was a show of defiance on the recent order of President Aquino to have the Abu Sayyaf exterminated.

“A lot of soldiers had died here,” Rami added.

He said if any of the hostages were harmed due to the on-going military operation in Sulu, the Abu Sayyaf should not be blamed.

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Rami said the Abu Sayyaf would not harm any of the hostages before Oct. 17 but added that the “bullet does not select its target.”

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