Philippines strongly condemns beheading of Canadian hostage by Abu Sayyaf

The Philippine government strongly condemned on Tuesday the murder of Canadian hostage Robert Hall by the Abu Sayyaf group.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to Hall's bereaved family.

Hall was the second Canadian hostage beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf in a span of almost two months after failure to pay ransom. Mining executive John Ridsdel was killed in April.

The two were among the four hostages seized by the militants in a resort in Samal Island, Davao del Norte in September last year. The two remaining victims on the hands of the Abu Sayyaf are Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkingstad and female Filipino Marites Flor.

Coloma said Hall's death "serves to strengthen our government's resolve to put an end to this reign of terror and banditry."

He noted that for the past two months, the military and the police have waged continuing operations that have degraded the capability of the militants and limited their movements.

The Aquino administration also thanked the Canadian government and people for their steadfast support and understanding which has been extremely helpful in the government's determined efforts to end the decades-old problem.

"We truly regret that our people's cherished tradition of extending gracious hospitality toward foreign nationals has been marred by a small band of criminals whose despicable actions have been abetted by the extortion of ransom from their previous victims," Coloma said.

Hall was beheaded after the deadline of 3:00 p.m. local time Monday lapsed without any ransom paid to the Abu Sayyaf. The bandits were reportedly asking 300 million pesos as ransom for each of the hostages.

The Abu Sayyaf leaders have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State roup, but analysts say it is more focused on kidnappings for ransom than setting up a caliphate. Endit