Canada Believes Canadian Hostage Killed in Philippines

“While Canadian officials are working closely with authorities in the Philippines to formally confirm Mr. Hall’s death, we have compelling reason to believe that reports to this effect are, unfortunately, true”, Trudeau said.

Trudeau said Canada holds Abu Sayyaf responsible for Hall’s death and that his government is “more committed than ever to working with the government of the Philippines and worldwide partners to pursue those responsible for these heinous acts and bring them to justice, however long it takes”.

The Prime Minister extended his “heartfelt condolences” to Mr Hall’s family and friends.

Malacañang on Tuesday strongly condemned the beheading of the second Canadian hostage held captive by the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu.

“Our troops thought it was a bomb but found out it was a head”, they said.

The beheadings have taken place despite the heavy deployment of military and police forces to locate them in the strife-torn island of Jolo, the largest island in the Muslim-populated archipelago of Sulu, about 1,000 kilometres from Manila. It was the same town where the head of the other Canadian hostage, identified as John Rinsdel, was found. Rinsdel was killed by Abu Sayyaf last April after the ransom deadline for him expired.

Hall and Ridsel along with Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingtad and Filipina companion Marites Flor were snatched by the ASG in an exclusive resort in Samal Island on September 21 previous year.

The confirmation comes after an Abu Sayyaf spokesman, Abu Raami, told local media Monday that they killed Hall after a 600 million peso ($13 million) ransom failed to be paid before their 3 p.m. (0100GMT) deadline. John Ridsdel has been beheaded.

The Canadian government has “every reason to believe” that one of its citizens kidnapped by Islamic militants in the southern Philippines almost nine months ago has been killed, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday.

He also says Canada will not pay ransom to terrorist groups, saying to do so would only fuel more violence and bloodshed, and make Canadians even more vulnerable around the world.

Wilfredo Cayat, police chief of Jolo island, said officials were checking reports that said Hall was beheaded in Mount Bunga by Ben Yadah, an Islamist militant holding four captives – three foreigners and a Filipino – since September 2015.

“Yes we recovered a Caucasian-looking one….” Both the Philippines and Canada refused to give in to the ransom being demanded by the Abu Sayyaf.

“My specific appeal is to the Canadian government who I know has the capacity to get us out of here”.

The status of the two remaining hostages was not known.

This was the same amount demanded by the abductors to release Hall.

“For those who wish to blame the Philippines or Muslims for this event, hear me out: The perpetrators are despicable violent criminals who have no real respect for or allegiance to any country or religion”.