Second Canadian hostage executed by Abu Sayyaf in Philippines
The death comes less than two months after Abu Sayyaf militants beheaded Canadian John Ridsdel after a ransom demand was not paid
The Canadian government has “compelling reason to believe” that one of its citizens kidnapped by Islamic militants in the southern Philippines nearly nine months ago has been killed, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday.
Members of the notorious kidnap-for-ransom Abu Sayyaf gang had said they would murder Hall if they did not receive 300 million pesos (US$6.5 million) ransom by Monday.
“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.
“The vicious and brutal actions of the hostage-takers have led to a needless death. Canada holds the terrorist group who took him hostage fully responsible for this cold-blooded and senseless murder.”
Hall was among four people abducted in September last year from aboard yachts at a tourist resort on Samal island in the southern Philippines.