This file image made from undated militant video, shows Canadians Robert Hall, left, and John Ridsdel. Both Canadians have been beheaded by the Islamist Abu Sayyaf after their government refused to pay ransom for their release. AP FILE
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday condemned the beheading of a Canadian national held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf Group.
“The brutal murder and inhuman execution of the victim by these evil terrorists show their true color,” Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Filemon Tan said in a statement.
The severed head which appears to be that of Robert Hall was found at the Jolo Cathedral on Monday night, hours after the ransom deadline passed.
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As of Tuesday morning, Hall’s body had not been found. His head was flown to Manila for forensic procedures.
“We extend our sincerest condolences and commiserate with the family and relatives of the slain kidnap victim,” Tan said.
“Their loss is our loss too. We feel their pain because we also lost soldiers, brothers in arms in trying to rescue them,” he added.
Tan said the military would “work relentlessly” to find the abductors and make them accountable for their crimes.
Hall was abducted with another Canadian, a Norwegian and a Filipina on Samal Island in September 2015. Canadian John Ridsdel was beheaded in April after ransom was not paid.
The Abu Sayyaf was demanding P600 million in exchange for the three hostages and set a June 13 deadline.
Tan said the beheading was “clearly un-Islamic and a violation of the teachings of Mohammad.”
“They do not in any way represent our peaceful Muslim brothers who are true believers of Islam. Their criminal act disregarded even the sacred period of Ramadan. This group showed us their true nature and the evil they truly are,” he said./rga
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