ABDUCTION ON SAMAL ISLAND. Armed men abducted Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, with Filipino girlfriend Marites Flor (inset photos), Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad on the Island Garden City of Samal, just off Davao City, on Monday night. Photo taken on Sept. 19 shows the Norwegian shipbuilder and caretaker of Oceanview Marina posing beside his newly finished catamaran twin-hull yacht at Barangay Camudmud on Samal Island. INSET PHOTOS COURTESY OF AFP EASTERN MINDANAO COMMAND/FACEBOOK
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has condoled with the family of the Canadian captive who was beheaded by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
In a statement, the AFP said that it will not stop its intensive operations to neutralize the militants, in cooperation with the Philippine National Police.
“We extend our sympathy and condolences to the Canadian government and to the family of Mr. John Ridsdel who died in the hands of the ASG bandits,” the joint statement of the AFP and PNP read.
“There will be no let up in the determined efforts of the joint AFP- PNP task group’s intensive miitary and law enforcement operations to neutralize these lawless elements and thwart further threats to peace and security,” it said.
Government authorities said that they will use “the full force of the law” to bring the Abu Sayyaf bandits to justice.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed on Monday that Ridsdel was killed by the terrorists.
READ: Trudeau condemns ‘cold-blooded murder’ of Canadian hostage in PH
The 68-year-old Canadian was one of four tourists who were kidnapped last September by ASG militants from Samal Island.
Jolo police chief Supt. Junpikar Sitin said that two men on a motorcycle left Ridsdel’s head, placed inside a plastic bag, along a street in Jolo town in Sulu province and then fled.
READ: Head of ‘Abu Sayyaf captive’ dumped on Sulu street – police
The ASG earlier demanded a P300-million ransom for each of the victims by April 25, or the hostages will be killed.
Trudeau has condemned Ridsdel’s “cold-blooded murder,” saying that his government will cooperate with the Philippine government in pursuing the terrorists. CDG