Philippines vows to hold accountable Abu Sayyaf bandits who beheaded Canadian

The Philippine government vowed to bring to justice the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group responsible for the beheading of Canadian John Ridsdel.

"The president has directed the security forces to apply the full force of the law to bring these criminals to justice," said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in a statement.

He said the Philippines extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to the Canadian government and to Ridsdel family.

There will be no let-up in the resolute efforts of the joint police and military task group in pursuing intensive and wide-ranging military and law enforcement operations to neutralize the lawless elements and thwart further threats to peace and security, Coloma said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it strongly condemns this cruel and inhuman act perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf bandits, while reiterated its strong resolve to oppose terrorism in all of its forms.

Ridsdel was beheaded Monday by the bandits in southern Philippine province of Sulu after failure to pay ransom for his release.

He was one of the four people that the Abu Sayyaf seized in a resort in Samal Island in September last year. The two others include another Canadian, a Norwegian and a female Filipino. Endit