ZAMBOANGA CITY – Canada has strongly condemned Tuesday the brutal execution of its citizen John Ridsdel who was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf in southern Philippines.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was outraged by the cold-blooded murder of the 68-year old former mining executive on Monday in Sulu, one of five provinces under the volatile Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.
“I am outraged by the news that a Canadian citizen, John Ridsdel, held hostage in the Philippines since Sept. 21, 2015, has been killed at the hands of his captors. 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.”
“The government of Canada is committed to working with the government of 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 and all Canadians, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Ridsdel. They have endured a terrible ordeal and this is a devastating moment for all of them,” Trudeau said from Kananaskis in Alberta.
Abu Sayyaf executed Ridsdel after his family and government failed to pay P300 million ransom demanded by the jihadist group allied with the Islamic State militant group. Intelligence reports said Ridsdel, who was a consultant for international miner TVI, was killed by jihadists under Ben Tatoh Sawadjaan in the village called Lower Sinumaan in Patikul town.
His severed head was recovered in a plastic bag in the town of Jolo later in the day. Two men on a motorcycle dumped the bag near a group of men playing basketball there. Ridsdel severed head was brought to Zamboanga City and would be handed over to his kin.
Ridsdel was kidnapped by 10 gunmen from the resort island of Samal in Davao del Norte province in September 21 last year along with fellow Canadian Robert Hall, 50; and a Norwegian man Kjartan Sekkingstad, 56, and his Filipina girlfriend, Maritess Flor.
The Abu Sayyaf demanded as much as P300 million each for the safe release of the foreign hostages and set April 8 for the deadline, but extended this until April 25. The Abu Sayyaf also released several videos of Ridsdel, Hall and Sekkingstad appealing to their governments and the Philippines to pay the Abu Sayyaf ransoms.
“We’re told that this is the absolute final warning so this is a final urgent appeal to governments, Philippine, Canadian, and families. If 300 million (pesos) is not paid for me by 3 p.m. on April 25th, they will behead me,” Ridsdel said in his last appeal.
Sulu Vice Governor Sakur had previously appealed to the Abu Sayyaf to spare the life of Ridsdel and other hostages.
Mujiv Hataman, the regional governor, also condemned the killing and branded it as “an act against humanity.”
“As a nation, we have to rise against this horrendous act of terrorism. Our faith and our humanity demand that we collectively and strongly condemn this act of terrorism. This incident is tragic and as peace-loving Muslims of Mindanao, as Filipinos tired of senseless deaths and violence, we stand against this,” Hataman said.
“With heavy hearts, we express our condolences to the family of Mr. John Ridsdel. Our thoughts are with you in this dark moment of sorrow and grief. Like you, we also hope that the reign of terror on the island provinces of Mindanao will face its end the soonest as we pray that justice is done,” he added.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino ordered security forces to run after the Abu Sayyaf and rescue safely more than a dozen other foreign hostages being held captive by the jihadists in the region. (With a report from Ely Dumaboc)
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