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Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau says he has “reason to believe” that a Canadian
man who was being held hostage by a militant group in the Philippines
has been executed.
He says Canadian
officials are working closely with authorities in the Philippines to
formally confirm Robert Hall’s death at the hands of extremist group Abu
Sayyaf, but has compelling reason to believe that published reports of
the Calgary man’s demise are true.
officials are working closely with authorities in the Philippines to
formally confirm Robert Hall’s death at the hands of extremist group Abu
Sayyaf, but has compelling reason to believe that published reports of
the Calgary man’s demise are true.
“It is
with deep sadness that I have reason to believe that a Canadian citizen,
Robert Hall, held hostage in the Philippines since September 21, 2015,
has been killed by his captors,” Trudeau said Monday in a statement.
Hall,
fellow Canadian John Ridsdel, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and
Philippines national Marites Flor were snatched from a marina by Abu
Sayyaf last September.
fellow Canadian John Ridsdel, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and
Philippines national Marites Flor were snatched from a marina by Abu
Sayyaf last September.
The militants
executed Ridsdel in April. The Washington-based SITE Intelligence group
said the militants released a video that showed Ridsdel, 68, being
beheaded.
executed Ridsdel in April. The Washington-based SITE Intelligence group
said the militants released a video that showed Ridsdel, 68, being
beheaded.
The militants said they were angry the Canadian government failed to meet their demands for ransom.
Last month the militants threatened to kill one of the two surviving western hostages on June 13 if their demands weren’t met.
Said
Trudeau: “The vicious and brutal actions of the hostage-takers have led
to a needless death. Canada holds the terrorist group who took him
hostage fully responsible for this cold-blooded and senseless murder.”
