CANADIAN Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday condemned the execution of Canadian John Ridsdel by the Abu Sayyaf. He called it a “cold-blooded murder.”
“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,” Trudeau said.
“Canada condemns without reservation the brutality of the hostage-takers, and this unnecessary death. This was an act of cold-blooded murder and responsibility rests squarely with the terrorist group who took him hostage,” he said.
He added: “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 bring them to justice.”
Ridsdel, a mining executive, was kidnapped last year from the Holiday Ocean View resort on Samal Island in Davao del Norte along with fellow Canadian Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, and Marithes Flor, a Filipino.
Ridsdel’s severed head was found in front of the municipal town hall in Jolo, Sulu Monday, the deadline set by the Abu Sayyaf for payment of ransom for the release of the victims.
The group has demanded a ransom of P1 billion each for the hostages but the amount was reduced to P300 million.
Malacanang also issued a statement Tuesday extending its condolences to the Canadian government and to Ridsdel’s family.
The severed head of the Canadian was found in front of the municipal town hall in Jolo, Sulu Monday.
Supt. Julpikar Sitin, Jolo police chief, said that at around 7:30 in the evening, a cellophane was thrown by two unidentified individuals riding on a motorcycle towards a group of young men about to play basketball at the corner of Mayor Salih Yusah and Sari Ahmad Isnani streets in Walled City, Jolo, Sulu.
The unknown riders were described by bystanders as being in their late 20s with long curly hair.
Sitin said Scene-of-the-Crime Operatives (Soco) found inside the cellophane a Caucasian’s head, determined to be Ridsdel’s.
He said the head was brought to Camp Teodulfo Bautista Hospital in Busbus, Jolo.
Ridsdel was senior vice president and the chief executive officer of the TVI Resource Development from August 2008 to April 2011 and later served as president of TVI Minerals Processing Inc..
Military intelligence sources said Ridsdel was executed at around 3:45 pm Monday in the forested vicinity in Lower Sinumaan, Patikul, Sulu, in front of his fellow captives.
The sources said the execution was carried out by the Abu Sayyaf’s Ben Totoh Sawadjaan.
About 28 captives are reportedly still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf, 22 among whom are foreigners. (mindanews / frencie carreon)
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