The Canadian Press
Mike Blanchfield
OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has “reason to believe” a Canadian man who was being held hostage by a militant group in the Philippines has been executed.
He said Canadian officials are working closely with authorities in the Philippines to formally confirm Robert Hall’s death at the hands of extremist group Abu Sayyaf, but has compelling reason to believe published reports of the Calgary man’s demise are true.
“It is with deep sadness that I have reason to believe that a Canadian citizen, Robert Hall, held hostage in the Philippines since Sept. 21, 2015, has been killed by his captors,” Trudeau said in a statement today.
Hall, fellow Canadian John Ridsdel, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, and Philippines’ national Marites Flor were snatched from a marina by Abu Sayyaf last September.
The militants executed Ridsdel in April.
They said they were angry the Canadian government failed to meet their demands for ransom.
Last month the militants threatened to kill one of the two surviving western hostages on June 13 if their demands weren’t met.
“The vicious and brutal actions of the hostage-takers have led to a needless death,” said Trudeau.
“Canada holds the terrorist group who took him hostage fully responsible for this cold-blooded and senseless murder.”
Trudeau reiterated the loss of the two Canadians fuels “more violence and instability.”
“Canada will not give into their fear-mongering tactics and despicable attitude toward the suffering of others,” he vowed.
Another video released by the militants last month showed the three remaining hostages pleading for help from the Canadian and Philippines government as gun-wielding hooded captors stood behind them.
Trudeau steadfastly has refused to entertain the thought of paying ransom to hostage-takers.
He said after learning of Ridsdel’s execution that Canada would never pay a ransom for the hostages in the Philippines, and last month persuaded leaders of the other G7 countries to reiterate their opposition to paying ransoms.
Trudeau extended his “heartfelt condolences” to the family and friends of Hall.
