Authorities in the southern Philippines announced Monday that they had found the decapitated head of a Canadian tourist who had been taken hostage last year by Islamist guerrillas.
In September, John Ridsdel, a 68-year-old former mining executive from Calgary, Alberta, was seized while on vacation near the city of Davao, on the island of Mindanao, by militants linked to the radical Abu Sayyaf group. He was taken along with three others -- a Norwegian man, another Canadian national and his Philippine girlfriend.
In video messages, the militants demanded $80 million for the hostages' release, with a deadline set for April 25. Both Canada and the Philippines have explicit policies against the payment of ransoms, and the deadline passed. The grisly evidence of Ridsdel's execution was dropped off in a plastic bag on a street in Jolo, capital of Sulu province, a long-standing cradle of Islamist militancy off the southwest coast of Mindanao.
READ: Canadian tourist John Ridsel executed by Abu Sayyaf: Justin Trudeau
"Canada condemns without reservation the brutality of the hostage-takers, and this unnecessary death," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement. "This was an act of cold-blooded murder and responsibility rests squarely with the terrorist group who took him hostage."
The government in Manila ordered the country's military and police to aggressively search for and rescue the remaining captives. "The intensified operations are ongoing. We have forces on the ground currently pursuing these bandits," army spokesman Restituto Padilla said Monday.
Although it is a majority-Catholic nation, the Philippines still has a significant Muslim population, accounting for about 5 percent of the country's almost 100 million people. As WorldViews noted earlier, Muslim sultanates held sway through much of the archipelago nation, particularly in the south, until the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. The Islam practiced there, like other faiths in Southeast Asia, is suffused with older indigenous beliefs, including the worship of local spirits.
The majority of the country's Muslims are now concentrated in Mindanao and adjacent islands. For decades, various separatist insurgencies have raged in the region; most of the groups are motivated more by political grievances and criminal opportunism than ideology.
Abu Sayyaf first emerged in the early 1990s as a radical splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a rebel faction that wants greater Muslim autonomy in the southern Philippines. Abu Sayyaf's leadership, which was said to have ties with al-Qaeda, aimed to forge its own Islamic state. The group went about emulating the Middle Eastern terrorist organization.
It kidnapped 20 people from a resort in 2001, including three Americans, one of whom was beheaded. In 2004, Abu Sayyaf carried out the worst terrorist attack in the history of the Philippines, targeting a ferry in Manila Bay, leaving 116 people dead. The following year, its militants carried out bombings across the country.
The group has been largely subdued since Manila launched an intense counterinsurgency effort backed by U.S. Special Operations forces. But it has not been defeated. A clash this month with state security forces led to the deaths of 18 soldiers.
Various cells hold at least 19 hostages, including tourists, as well as Malaysian and Indonesian workers. Current estimates suggest that there are fewer than 400 fighters in Abu Sayyaf's ranks, a significant dip from its heyday in the 1990s. Moreover, there is no evidence that Abu Sayyaf receives any material support from al-Qaeda.
What has alarmed international observers were the apparent declarations of fealty to the Islamic State militant group made by elements of Abu Sayyaf this year, including one by the group's titular head, Isnilon Hapilon, who has now styled himself Sheik Mujahid Abu Abdullah al-Filipini.
The specter of a transnational terrorist threat is a concern to many countries in the region. Hundreds of Southeast Asian extremists have joined the Islamic State's ranks in Syria and Iraq. And suspected Indonesian proxies of the group carried out a deadly assault in central Jakarta in January.
On Tuesday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo called for joint maritime patrols with Malaysia and the Philippines to better combat Abu Sayyaf and other militant groups operating in islands and communities far from the reach of all three nations' capitals.
"We can't let this continue," the Indonesian leader declared.
Some experts believe that the key to quieting the insurgency in the Philippines is extending the rule of law and pushing through a peace process with other militant groups that are already in talks with Manila. Progress has stalled ahead of the country's presidential election, scheduled for May.
"Abu Sayyaf was formerly what we all think of when we think of a terrorist organization," Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, told CNN. But times have changed, he adds: "This is basically a group of criminals whose only support comes from family connections in the local communities."
The Washington Post
Wed Apr 27 2016
![A shocking beheading is a reminder of the terror threat in the Philippines A shocking beheading is a reminder of the terror threat in the Philippines](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-04/51461640032_Ridsel.jpg)
What you need to know about the Abu Sayyaf terrorist organization.
![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.