Malacañang expressed its condolences on Tuesday to the
Canadian government and the family of mining executive John Ridsdel, who was
killed by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
Ridsdel was among the four hostages who were abducted by ASG
bandits on Sept. 21 last year from the Holiday Ocean View Resort on Samal Island
"We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the
Canadian government and to the family of Mr. John Ridsdel, who died in the
hands of the ASG bandits," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.
said in a statement.
The ASG had threatened to behead one of the hostages on
April 25 at 3 p.m. if the government failed to pay the ransom demanded by the
bandits. The initial demand was P1 billion each for the hostages but the amount
was reduced to P300 million.
Reports said the severed head of Ridsdel, which was inside a
plastic bag dropped by two men on a motorcycle, was found by residents in the
center of Jolo town, five hours after the expiry of the ransom deadline.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was outraged upon
learning of the killing.
Secretary Coloma assured that military and law enforcement
operations in Sulu will continue.
"There will be no let-up in the resolute efforts of the
joint PNP-AFP task group in pursuing intensive and wide-ranging military and
law enforcement operations to neutralize these lawless elements and thwart
further threats to peace and security," he said, adding that President
Benigno S. Aquino III "has directed the security forces to apply the full
force of the law to bring these criminals to justice."
President Aquino on Monday ordered Acting Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP) Chief, Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, and Philippine National
Police (PNP) Chief, Director General Ricardo Marquez, to conduct appropriate
military and law enforcement operations to rescue the four hostages.
The President also instructed local authorities to cooperate
with the AFP-PNP Task Force and ensure the safety of citizens in the affected
communities.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=879805
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