Canadian PM condemns killing of Canadian hostage in Philippines

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Monday condemned the "cold-blooded and senseless murder" of a Canadian citizen by radical militant group Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines.

In a statement he said Canada is committed to bringing those terrorists responsible for the death of Robert Hall to justice.

He also expressed his "heartfelt condolences" to the family and friends of Hall.

Hall has been held since Sept. 21, 2015, along with former mining executive and his fellow Canadian John Ridsdel, who was killed by the group last April. Ridsdel and Hall were abducted from a seaside resort along with a Filipino woman and a Norwegian man.

Trudeau has steadfastly refused to pay ransom to hostage takers. Last month he persuaded leaders of the other G7 countries in Japan to reiterate their opposition to paying ransoms.

Last month, Abu Sayyaf reportedly threatened to kill one of the two surviving Western hostages on June 13 if their demands weren't met. And then it warned it would kill Robert Hall Monday if it didn't receive a ransom of some eight million U.S. dollars.

"With the tragic loss of two Canadians, I want to reiterate that terrorist hostage-takings only fuel more violence and instability. Canada will not give into their fear mongering tactics and despicable attitude toward the suffering of others," added Trudeau.

Canada did not negotiate with the terrorist group, but lent assistance to the Philippine military, which has carried out operations against the group in recent weeks, according to Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Abu Sayyaf based in and around Jolo and Baslan islands is considered a violent militant group in the southwestern Philippines. It has been blamed for several bloody terrorist attacks in the country. Endit