Monday, June 13, 2016

PHILIPPINES - Robert Hall, Canadian hostage, killed by Abu Sayyaf militants in Philippines

A Canadian man being held hostage for months by a militant group in the Philippines has been killed, sources say. Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf had warned it would kill Robert Hall today if it didn't receive a ransom of some $8 million. 
  • Sources close to the situation in Jolo, the island where the al-Qaeda-linked group is based, and within Philippine security confirmed Hall's death early Monday to CBC News. A spokeswoman with Global Affairs Canada said Ottawa is aware of the reports, and is "pursuing all appropriate channels" for more information. 
Hall, from Calgary, had been held since Sept. 21, 2015, along with former mining executive and fellow Canadian John Ridsdel, who was killed by the group in late April. Ridsdel and Hall were abducted from a seaside resort along with a Filipino woman and a Norwegian man. The condition of the remaining hostages is not known.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last month urged fellow G7 leaders to refuse to pay ransom for hostages. He said at the time that the Canadian flag should not be "a target when worn on a backpack around the world."   As officials work to confirm Hall's death, Trudeau on Monday offered his condolences while condemning the "cold-blooded and senseless murder." 
"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," Trudeau said in a statement. 
"This is precisely why the government of Canada will not and cannot pay ransoms for hostages to terrorists groups."  Canada did not negotiate with the group, but lent assistance to the Philippine military, which has carried out operations against the group in recent weeks, according to CBC News correspondent Sasa Petricic.
INC News, 13/06/2016 - source: ©CBC News

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