Severed head believed to belong to 2nd Canadian captive found

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Severed head believed to belong to the second Canadian executed by the Abu Sayyaf group was recovered Monday night, according to officials.

The police authorities found the head after it was dumped in a plaza in front of Mt. Carmel Cathedral along Sanchez Street in downtown of Jolo, according to Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom). 

“The discovery confirms the brutal beheading by the evil criminal Abu Sayyaf group of a kidnap victim,” Tan said.

READ: Palace condemns beheading of 2nd Canadian hostage

The military official said they believe that the execution was done between 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. Monday. 

Jolo Police Station chief Superintendent Junpikar Sitin said the decapitated head, placed inside a red plastic bag, was discovered about 9:00 p.m. by civilians who immediately alerted the police.

Initially, villagers observed people riding-in-tandem who dumped the suspicious plastic bag in front of the cathedral.

 Sitin said they initially cordoned the area, thinking that the package possibly contained an improvised bomb.

“After a thorough check it turned out to contain a decapitated head,” Sitin said.

Tan said the severed head was immediately transported Tuesday to Manila for forensic examination by the police scene of the crime operatives (SOCO). 

He said the head “has the glaring similarity” with Hall’s file photo. 

“The Caucasian’s head of a male can be compared with the photo files we have at hand of Robert Hall. But then again we have to go through the process of turning over to the PNP Soco and they are the authority to confirm,” Tan added.

Tan said the headless body of Hall is yet to be recovered.

According to Tan, the Abu Sayyaf issued a statement on social media that Hall’s body will be released Monday.  

The military believes the Abu Sayyaf bandits executed Hall due to the failure to pay the ransom. 

The Abu Sayyaf demanded P600 million ransom for three hostages, who include Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipina Marites Flor.

The group beheaded last April 25 Canadian John Ridsdel for failure to pay the P300 million ransom.