Abus claim 2nd Canadian hostage beheaded

MANILA, Philippines - The Abu Sayyaf has executed its second Canadian captive in Sulu after the deadline for payment of ransom lapsed yesterday, a senior security official said.

“There’s this report (of the beheading), and that’s it. It’s confirmed,” the official, who asked not to be named, said.

Robert Hall was the second Canadian hostage beheaded by the bandit group after John Ridsdel last April 25.

The official, who has direct knowledge on military and police rescue efforts for Hall, said they are continuously monitoring the condition of the other hostages Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Hall’s Filipina girlfriend Maritess Flor.

Reports claimed that Hall was executed in Simuan at around 3 p.m. by the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Sawadjaaan.

“We are still validating this,” a source in Sulu who received reports on Hall’s beheading said.

All four were taken at gunpoint on a Samal Island resort in Davao del Norte in September last year and were brought to Sulu by their abductors.

The bandits had demanded P300 million ransom for each of the remaining Samal hostages, warning that they would execute one of them if ransom was not paid by June 13 (yesterday).

“It’s time to annihilate the Abu Sayyaf to put a stop to their kidnappings and activities and their beheadings and other atrocities,” the official said.

He advised party negotiators obtaining the release of the hostages to stop any contact with the bandits.

“The beheading of Hall only showed the true colors of the Abu Sayyaf as plain bandits as the group no longer follows the teaching of Islam, especially this time of year when Muslims around the globe are observing the holy month of Ramadan,” he said.

At Camp Aguinaldo, Col. Noel Detoyato, of the Armed Forces-Public Affairs Office, said the military has yet to receive information on Hall’s execution.

“We have no information on the incident. We will just continue with our support operations. But we will consider that information (beheading of Hall) for confirmation,” Detoyato said.

He said the military would continue to provide manpower needed by their police counterparts in Sulu.

The bandits initially demanded P1 billion for each of the four hostages as they gave their families as well as the Philippine and Canadian governments one-month deadline to come up with the ransom money or they would execute one of the hostages.

Both the Philippine and Canadian governments, however, maintained their respective “no negotiation and no ransom” policies.

After killing Ridsdel, the bandit group lowered their ransom demand from P1 billion to P300 million for each of the remaining hostages and threatened to execute either Hall or Sekkingstad.

Noy cancels appointment

Meanwhile, President Aquino cancelled his appearance at the launching of a call center company yesterday as news spread that another Canadian hostage was beheaded.

Security and other preparations were already done at the Five E-com Center Open Grounds in Pasay City where the event was supposed to be held at 5 p.m.

Organizers then announced the program would start with Trade Secretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. as guest of honor and no longer the President.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said reports that the bandits killed Hall were still being verified. – With Roel Pareño, Aurea Calica