MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has confirmed on Tuesday, June 21 that the decapitated head by Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf in Sulu belongs to Canadian kidnap victim Robert Hall.
“The head that was recovered from Sulu is indeed that of Mr. Robert Hall,” said Chief Supt. Emmanuel Aranas, director of the PNP crime laboratory.
On June 13, AFP Western Command spokesperson Major Filemon Tan Jr. said the head was recovered in front of the gate of Jolo Cathedral at around 8:45 pm, just hours after the ransom deadline had lapsed.
Before confirming that the head belongs to Hall, Tan added that the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) still need to carry out DNA test on the head.
In September 2015, Hall along with three other people were captured by Abu Sayyaf from a resort in Samal Islands. Initially, the militants demanded a ransom of P1 billion each for the captives but later reduced it to P300 million each early in 2016.
However, both the Canadian and Philippine government have a policy against paying ransom in such cases.
“This is precisely why the Government of Canada will not and cannot pay ransoms for hostages to terrorists groups, as doing so would endanger the lives of more Canadians," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement on June 13.
“We are more committed than ever to working with the Government of the Philippines and international partners to pursue those responsible for these heinous acts and bring them to justice, however long it takes," Trudeau added.
“The head that was recovered from Sulu is indeed that of Mr. Robert Hall,” said Chief Supt. Emmanuel Aranas, director of the PNP crime laboratory.
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| DNA results confirmed head recovered in Sulu belongs to Mr. Robert Hall. Photo Credit: PTV |
Before confirming that the head belongs to Hall, Tan added that the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) still need to carry out DNA test on the head.
In September 2015, Hall along with three other people were captured by Abu Sayyaf from a resort in Samal Islands. Initially, the militants demanded a ransom of P1 billion each for the captives but later reduced it to P300 million each early in 2016.
However, both the Canadian and Philippine government have a policy against paying ransom in such cases.
“This is precisely why the Government of Canada will not and cannot pay ransoms for hostages to terrorists groups, as doing so would endanger the lives of more Canadians," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement on June 13.
“We are more committed than ever to working with the Government of the Philippines and international partners to pursue those responsible for these heinous acts and bring them to justice, however long it takes," Trudeau added.
