DFA: Beheading of Canadian national by Abu Sayyaf 'cruel, inhuman'

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday strongly condemned the beheading of Canadian hostage John Ridsdel by the Abu Sayyaf Group, calling the act “inhuman” and “cruel.”

The DFA also extended its deepest sympathies to the family of Ridsdel and the government and people of Canada, assuring that Philippine authorities are doing their best to rescue the remaining hostages and go after their captors.

“We join you in grieving for the lives lost in this senseless act of violence, the DFA statement said. “The DFA strongly condemns this cruel and inhuman act perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf group, and reiterates its strong resolve to oppose terrorism in all of its forms.”

“We support our brave men in uniform – some of whom have sacrificed life and limb – who remain relentless in rescuing the remaining hostages and bringing these nefarious elements to justice,” it added.

Abu Sayyaf gunmen, who were holding Ridsdel and another Canadian Robert Hall in the jungles of Southern Philippines, demanded $6.5 million or about P300 million for each hostage – the largest ransom the extremist group has ever asked for in years.

The figure was reduced from the original P1 billion being demanded by the group for each hostage last year.

They threatened to behead the hostages if their demand is not met by April 25.

Hours after the deadline passed, police said two men on motorbike dropped Ridsel's head in a plastic bag near the Jolo city hall in Sulu.

Ridsel and Hall were abducted by the group on Sept. 21, 2015 in the resort island of Samal in Davao del Norte province.

Also held captive are Filipina Marites Flor, said to be Hall’s partner, and Norweigian Kjartan Sekkingstad, the manager of the Ocean View Samal Resort. A P300-million ransom is also being demanded for Sekkingstad’s freedom.

The Abu Sayyaf, listed as a terrorist organization by the Philippines and the United States, has been behind numerous terror attacks and kidnappings of foreigners in the Philippines. It is notorious for beheading its captives if their demand for ransom is not met. 

Philippines-US counter-terrorism cooperation has successfully led to the killing of key local terrorists from the Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao but the group continues to thrive even as its members have dwindled in recent years.

Due to the spate of kidnappings of foreigners in Mindanao, the US, Canada and Britain have issued travel warnings to their nationals, discouraging them from going to the country’s southernmost region, particularly in Sulu, a known stronghold of the ASG.  — VVP, GMA News