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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed the killing of John Ridsdel, one of two Canadians who were being held hostage by an al-Qaeda-linked group in the Philippines.
"I am outraged by the news that a Canadian citizen, held hostage in the Philippines since Sept. 21, 2015, has been killed at the hands of his captors," Trudeau said from Kananaskis, Alta., where he is attending a federal cabinet retreat.
"Canada condemns without reservation the brutality of the hostage takers and this unnecessary death."
"This was an act of cold-blooded murder and the responsibility rests squarely with the terrorist group who took him hostage.
John Ridsdel, who was one of four people abducted in the Philippines last fall, has been killed by his captors, the government confirmed Monday.
"The government of Canada is committed to working with the government of the Philippines and international partners to pursue those responsible for this heinous act and to bring them to justice.
"On behalf of the government of Canada I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Ridsdel," Trudeau said.
"They have endured a terrible ordeal and this is a devastating moment for all of them."
The 68-year-old former Calgarian, a former mining executive and journalist who was semi-retired, was one of four hostages, including a fellow Canadian, Robert Hall, held by Abu Sayyaf militants, who had issued a ransom deadline that lapsed earlier Monday morning.
Evidence of a beheading was found along a street in Jolo town in Sulu province, according to Jolo police Chief Supt. Junpikar Sitin. There is no word on the fate of the remaining hostages.
The Canadian government has a policy of not paying ransom to kidnappers.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trud...inet-1.3551979
"I am outraged by the news that a Canadian citizen, held hostage in the Philippines since Sept. 21, 2015, has been killed at the hands of his captors," Trudeau said from Kananaskis, Alta., where he is attending a federal cabinet retreat.
"Canada condemns without reservation the brutality of the hostage takers and this unnecessary death."
"This was an act of cold-blooded murder and the responsibility rests squarely with the terrorist group who took him hostage.
John Ridsdel, who was one of four people abducted in the Philippines last fall, has been killed by his captors, the government confirmed Monday.
"The government of Canada is committed to working with the government of the Philippines and international partners to pursue those responsible for this heinous act and to bring them to justice.
"On behalf of the government of Canada I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Ridsdel," Trudeau said.
"They have endured a terrible ordeal and this is a devastating moment for all of them."
The 68-year-old former Calgarian, a former mining executive and journalist who was semi-retired, was one of four hostages, including a fellow Canadian, Robert Hall, held by Abu Sayyaf militants, who had issued a ransom deadline that lapsed earlier Monday morning.
Evidence of a beheading was found along a street in Jolo town in Sulu province, according to Jolo police Chief Supt. Junpikar Sitin. There is no word on the fate of the remaining hostages.
The Canadian government has a policy of not paying ransom to kidnappers.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trud...inet-1.3551979
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