A Canadian man being held hostage in the Philippines was executed on Monday by militants of the extremist group Abu Sayyef, CBC News reports.
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Hall had been held since September 21, 2015 – one of four hostages that included fellow Canadian John Ridsdel, who was killed by the group in late April.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines continues to support the PNP in the intensified conduct of law enforcement operations to expedite the arrest of lawless elements in the province”, Tan said.
Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said in a statement that an Abu Sayyaf “spotter” – Sehar Muloc, also known as Abner Muloc and “Commander Red Eye” – was arrested in a pre-dawn operation in Zamboanga Sibugay province.
Alih Aiyub, national secretary general of the NUCP, told the Inquirer that the killing of Hall after the 3 p.m. deadline for the payment of ransom expired, is an inhuman act.
“We don’t have reports yet coming from our units on the ground”, he said.
He added that they have been closely monitoring the case and exhausting all possible means to secure the safety of any captives of the Abu Sayyaf.
Last month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Ridsdel was executed by Abu Sayyaf militants after being held hostage for seven months.
The photo taken from a video released by the Abu Sayyaf shows Abu Sayyaf bandits behind the three remaining kidnap victims (from left) Marites Flor, Robert Hall and Kjartan Sekkingstad.
The ASG beheaded John Ridsel last April 25 after the Philippine and Canadian governments refused to pay his P 300 million ransom. “We have no information on whether he is also a member”, Tan said, referring to the kidnap group.
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On April 9, Abu Sayyaf gunmen killed 18 Filipino soldiers searching for hostages in a day-long battle.
