Philippine authorities on Tuesday confirmed that Muslim extremist guerrillas had beheaded a second Canadian hostage, as they defended their inability to save him despite months of pursuit.
"We strongly condemn the brutal and senseless murder of Mr Robert Hall, a Canadian national, after being held captive by the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu for the past nine months," presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma said in a statement.
A military statement also confirmed that a severed head, believed to be Hall's, was found near the Jolo island cathedral Monday night.
"The discovery confirmed the brutal beheading by the evil, criminal ASG (Abu Sayyaf group) of a kidnap victim," the statement added.
Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared that his government has "every reason to believe" that Hall had been killed by the Abu Sayyaf, the second Canadian captive to be slain this year.
Members of the notorious kidnap-for-ransom Abu Sayyaf gang had said they would murder Hall if they did not receive 300 million pesos ($6.5 million) ransom by Monday afternoon.
Hall was among four people abducted in September last year from aboard yachts at a tourist resort on Samal island in the southern Philippines.
Another Canadian kidnapped at the same time, John Ridsdel, was beheaded in April after a similar ransom demand of 300 million pesos was not paid.
The fates of the two other people abducted at the Samal resort -- Hall's Filipina girlfriend Marites Flor and Norwegian resort manager Kjartan Sekkingstad -- were not known.
The beheadings have taken place despite the heavy deployment of military and police forces to locate them in the strife-torn island of Jolo, the largest island in the Muslim-populated archipelago of Sulu, about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from Manila.
Major Filemon Tan, spokesman of military forces in the south, said Tuesday that the kidnappers were evading military pursuers with the help of the impoverished Muslim residents of the island.
"They have relatives in the community. They are the ones that give them a warning when there are soldiers in the area," he told radio station DZMM.
He also said the island's forested, hilly terrain, a broad coastline that allows for swift movement by boat and the kidnappers' tactic of breaking up into smaller groups, were all hindering pursuit.
"But we are studying this deeply and I can say we are adjusting and it will be a matter of time that we will hit them also," he added.
Listed by the United States as a terrorist organisation, the Abu Sayyaf is a loose network of Islamic militants that was founded in the early 1990s with money from Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network.
Its leaders have in recent years declared allegiance to the Islamic State group that holds territory in Iraq and Syria.
AFP
Tue Jun 14 2016
![Philippines confirms second Canadian hostage beheaded Philippines confirms second Canadian hostage beheaded](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-06/41465881822_JohnRidsdelRobert.jpg)
This image made from undated militant video, shows Canadians John Ridsdel, right, and Robert Hall. -AP
![Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41715247870_SohThianLaijpg.jpg)
Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM
Pemimpin perniagaan dan usahawan daripada golongan belia merupakan pemacu penting yang akan membentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia, kata Presiden Persekutuan Pekilang-Pekilang Malaysia.
AWANI Tonight: 16 July 2024
#AWANITonight with @Hafiz_Marzukhi
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
![Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41716613114_TBsprm.jpg)
Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman
Kesemua individu juga perlu hadir ke pejabat Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) sebulan sekali untuk melaporkan diri.
![KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81719822088_ZambryAbdKadir.jpg)
KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat
KPT mengalu-alukan cadangan PAC berhubung pelaksanaan dan pemakaian Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024, kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan kementerian itu.
![SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720679430_AbdulKarimRahman.jpg)
SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan
Sepak takraw wanita berpasukan berkemungkinan akan digugurkan daripada senarai acara temasya Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) 2024 berikutan jumlah penyertaan kurang daripada jumlah minimum yang ditetapkan.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Enam rakyat Vietnam ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok Enam rakyat Vietnam ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/41702437730_maut.jpg)
Enam rakyat Vietnam ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok
Enam orang ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok, Thailand pada Selasa laporan media tempatan yang memetik polis Bangkok.
AWANI 7:45 [16/07/2024] - Suspek dibawa ke lokasi | Selamat tinggal rakyat Malaysia | Harimau Malaya hilang taring?
- Polis sahkan suspek bunuh Kartini anggota polis.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
![Isteri calon gandingan Trump letak jawatan di firma guaman Isteri calon gandingan Trump letak jawatan di firma guaman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721139141_TBJDUSHA.jpg)
Isteri calon gandingan Trump letak jawatan di firma guaman
Usha Vance, isteri kepada Senator J.D. Vance yang dipilih sebagai calon gandingan bekas presiden Amerika Syarikat (AS) Donald Trump awal minggu ini, telah meletakkan jawatannya di sebuah firma guaman,
![Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/71683779541_TBNAJIBRAZAK.jpg)
Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum
Berdasarkan sistem e-filing mahkamah, rayuan itu telah ditetapkan untuk pengurusan kes pada 7 Oktober ini.
![Perintah berkurung di perairan ESSZone dilanjut sehingga 10 April Perintah berkurung di perairan ESSZone dilanjut sehingga 10 April](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-03/41648223892_EsssCom.jpg)
Perintah berkurung di perairan ESSZone dilanjut sehingga 10 April
Perintah berkurung membabitkan perairan tujuh daerah di Zon Selamat Timur Sabah (ESSZone) yang berakhir esok, dilanjutkan sehingga 10 April ini.
![Abu Sayyaf: Pasukan komando UTK digerakkan ke pantai timur Sabah Abu Sayyaf: Pasukan komando UTK digerakkan ke pantai timur Sabah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-02/41643811811_TBHAZANIGHAZALI.jpg)
Abu Sayyaf: Pasukan komando UTK digerakkan ke pantai timur Sabah
Tahap keselamatan di pantai timur Sabah akan dipertingkatkan termasuk menggerakkan satu pasukan komando Unit Tindakan Khas (UTK) bagi menangani isu berkaitan kumpulan Abu Sayyaf.
![Pembuat bom Abu Sayyaf sah masih hidup - ESSCom Pembuat bom Abu Sayyaf sah masih hidup - ESSCom](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-01/71643546176_TBABUSAYYAF.jpg)
Pembuat bom Abu Sayyaf sah masih hidup - ESSCom
Pembuat bom yang juga sub ketua kumpulan Abu Sayyaf, Mudzrimar atau Mundi Sawadjaan yang dilaporkan ditembak mati Mei lepas di Filipina, disahkan masih hidup.
![ESSCOM keluarkan 20 senarai suspek dikehendaki terbabit kes penculikan ESSCOM keluarkan 20 senarai suspek dikehendaki terbabit kes penculikan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-01/41643257360_SuspekEsszone.jpg)
ESSCOM keluarkan 20 senarai suspek dikehendaki terbabit kes penculikan
ESSCOM hari ini mengeluarkan senarai terkini 20 individu warga Filipina yang dikehendaki kerana terbabit dalam kes penculikan untuk wang tebusan.
![Kerajaan bangun pelan tindakan kebangsaan, tangani fahaman pelampau keganasan Kerajaan bangun pelan tindakan kebangsaan, tangani fahaman pelampau keganasan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-11/41636366708_ESSCOM.jpg)
Kerajaan bangun pelan tindakan kebangsaan, tangani fahaman pelampau keganasan
Kerajaan sedang membangunkan Pelan Tindakan Kebangsaan Bagi Mencegah dan Menangani Fahaman Pelampau Keganasan (NAPPCVE).
![Abu Sayyaf: Pemilik ladang perlu pastikan pekerja memiliki dokumen pengenalan diri - Polis Abu Sayyaf: Pemilik ladang perlu pastikan pekerja memiliki dokumen pengenalan diri - Polis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-08/51629508398_HazaniGhazali.jpg)
Abu Sayyaf: Pemilik ladang perlu pastikan pekerja memiliki dokumen pengenalan diri - Polis
Hazani berkata, jika sukar memastikan pekerja memiliki dokumen yang sah, pemilik ladang perlulah mencari jalan untuk mendokumentasikan sendiri buruh mereka.
![Dua anggota Abu Sayyaf maut, 11 ditahan rancang culik pemilik ladang kelapa sawit Dua anggota Abu Sayyaf maut, 11 ditahan rancang culik pemilik ladang kelapa sawit](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-11/81605421220_TBHazaniGhazali.jpg)
Dua anggota Abu Sayyaf maut, 11 ditahan rancang culik pemilik ladang kelapa sawit
Polis Keselamatan menggagalkan cubaan kumpulan militan Abu Sayyaf untuk melakukan penculikan untuk tebusan ke atas pemilik ladang kelapa sawit di sekitar Sandakan.
![Polis Sabah tembak mati dua anggota Abu Sayyaf Polis Sabah tembak mati dua anggota Abu Sayyaf](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-08/61629419193_DatukHazaniGhazali.jpg)
Polis Sabah tembak mati dua anggota Abu Sayyaf
Kedua-dua lelaki ditembak mati dalam insiden berbalas tembakan dengan pasukan keselamatan.
![Mesej Abu Sayyaf tangkap, potong anggota badan penduduk tidak benar - ESSCom Mesej Abu Sayyaf tangkap, potong anggota badan penduduk tidak benar - ESSCom](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-05/81621854402_ESSCOM.jpg)
Mesej Abu Sayyaf tangkap, potong anggota badan penduduk tidak benar - ESSCom
Kawasan Keselamatan Khas Pantai Timur Sabah (ESSCom) menafikan dakwaan berlaku kejadian kumpulan Abu Sayyaf menangkap penduduk kampung dan memotong anggota badan.
![Rumah jadi lokasi serang hendap pengganas Abu Sayyaf terhadap polis dimusnahkan Rumah jadi lokasi serang hendap pengganas Abu Sayyaf terhadap polis dimusnahkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-05/71621576750_seranganhendappeng.jpg)
Rumah jadi lokasi serang hendap pengganas Abu Sayyaf terhadap polis dimusnahkan
Enam rumah di kawasan hutan di belakang Taman Sri Arjuna, Beaufort yang menjadi lokasi serangan hendap pengganas Abu Sayyaf terhadap pasukan Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) dimusnahkan.