Malaysia condemns execution of Canadian hostage by Abu Sayyaf

Malaysian government condemned the execution of a Canadian hostage by Abu Sayyaf on Wednesday, urging Manila to put more efforts against the terrorists group.

"Malaysia condemns in the strongest terms the execution of Canadian national, John Ridsdel in the southern Philippines on 25 April 2016," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The Government of Malaysia calls on the Government of Philippines to intensify their efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, as well as pursue efforts towards securing the release of the remaining hostages," it said.

Ridsdel was one of the four hostages taken by militants from a resort in Philippines southern Samal Island last September. The kidnappers had threatened to execute the hostages if ransom were not paid by April 25.

With its stronghold in southern Philippines, the Abu Sayyaf group has kidnapped foreigners, even locals for ransom both in Philippines and Malaysia.

A Malaysian tourist was kidnapped by Philippine militants last year and was later beheaded. Four Malaysian seamen were kidnapped in waters near southern Philippines and Malaysia's Sabah state on North Borneo earlier this month. Enditem