Malacanang on Tuesday strongly condemned the beheading of
the last Canadian hostage Robert Hall held captive by the Abu Sayyaf Group in
Sulu for the past nine months.
"We strongly condemn the brutal and senseless murder of
Mr. Robert Hall," Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)
Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press statement.
The Palace also extended its deepest sympathy and
condolences to the bereaved family of Hall.
The Western Mindanao Command on Tuesday confirmed that the
ASG bandits have beheaded Hall after his family reportedly failed to pay the
PHP600 million ransom.
Last April 25, the ASG beheaded the first Canadian hostage
John Ridsel after the Philippine and Canadian governments refused to pay PHP300
million ransom.
"We thank the Canadian government and people for their
steadfast support and understanding which has been extremely helpful in our
determined efforts to end this decades-old problem," Coloma said.
Hall and Ridsel along with Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingtad and
Filipina companion Marites Flor were snatched by the ASG in an exclusive resort
in Samal Island
"We truly regret that our people’s cherished tradition of
extending gracious hospitality toward foreign nationals has been marred by a
small band of criminals whose despicable actions have been abetted by the
extortion of ransom from their previous victims," Coloma said.
He said for the past two months, the Armed Forces of the
Philippines and the Philippine National Police have waged continuing military
and law enforcement operations "that have degraded the capability of our
enemies and limited their movements."
"This latest heinous crime serves to strengthen our
government’s resolve to put an end to this reign of terror and banditry,"
Coloma said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=894781
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