Saskatchewan man, John Ridsdel, 1 of 4 hostages threatened in new video

A man who grew up in Yorkton, Sask. is again pleading for his life about 12,000 kilometres away.

In September 2015, John Ridsdel and another Canadian were abducted at a beach resort in the Philippines by al-Qaeda linked group Abu Sayyaf. A Norwegian man and Filipino woman were also taken.

• Canadian held hostage 6 months in Philippines begs for Justin Trudeau's help
• Philippine army says it won't negotiate to free 2 abducted Canadians, 2 others
• Canadian hostages appear on video held at gunpoint

On Friday, the group released a second video threatening to kill one of hostages if their demands are not met. The militant group is asking for $8.3 million CDN for the release of the hostages. In November 2015, they asked for $28 million.

The most recent video prompted a Saskatoon man to take action. Don Kossick befriended Ridsdel in the '70s. Kossick started a letter writing campaign to the prime minister and other government officials asking for them to step in.

"The letter is basically just saying do whatever you can to obtain a settlement that will get them out of there. Do whatever you can to make sure they are not beheaded," Kossick said. " That's the message. Try whatever way, negotiation, whatever it takes, but make sure they don't suffer what that particular group wants to do to them."

Kossick wants others to contact the prime minister, and foreign affairs minister and Saskatchewan MP Ralph Goodale.

In a statement, the federal government said it is aware of the new video and that it will not comment. The government also said it will not release any information that could compromise ongoing efforts or affect the safety of Canadian citizens.