Justin Trudeau condemns killing of Canadian hostage John Ridsdel

Prime Minister Justin Trudeauhas confirmed the killing of John Ridsdel, oneof two Canadians who werebeingheld hostageby anal-Qaeda-linkedgroupin thePhilippines.

"I am outraged by the news that a Canadian citizen, held hostage in the Philippines since Sept. 21, 2015, has been killed at the hands of his captors," Trudeau said from Kananaskis, Alta., where he is attending a federal cabinet retreat.

"Canada condemns without reservation the brutality of the hostage takers and this unnecessary death."

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"This was an act of cold-blooded murder and the responsibility rests squarely with the terrorist group who took him hostage.

"The government of Canada is committed to working with the government of the Philippines and international partners to pursue those responsible for this heinous act and to bring them to justice.

"On behalf of the government of Canada I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Ridsdel," Trudeau said.

"They have endured a terrible ordeal and this is a devastating moment for all of them."

The 68-year-old former Calgarian, aformer mining executive and journalist who was semi-retired, was one of four hostages, including a fellow Canadian, Robert Hall, held by Abu Sayyaf militants, who had issued a ransom deadline that lapsed earlier Monday morning.

Evidence of a beheading was found along a street in Jolo town in Sulu province, according to Jolo police Chief Supt. Junpikar Sitin. There is no word on the fate of the remaining hostages.

The Canadian government has a policy of not paying ransom to kidnappers.

He touched everyone

"Our family is devastated at the loss of our father and brother John Ridsdel whose life was cut tragically short by this senseless act of violence despite us doing everything within our power to bring him home," the family said in a statement.

"John was a kind and gregarious person who touched everyone he knew with his enthusiasm and generosity," the statement said."He loved life and lived it to the fullest with his family and friends at the centre. He was loved by all his friends and adored by his daughters, sister, and extended family."

"It's hard. It's just very hard. I've been involved behind the scenes for the last sixmonths trying to find a solution and it's been very painful," said Bob Rae, a former Liberal MP and longtime friend, who has been in regular contact with the family and acted to keep communications lines open for the family.

"Negotiations between the family and a group like this is extremely difficult to do," Raetold CBC News Network's Power & Politics later in the day."Obviously the government and the military of the Philippines is in combat, the government of the Philippinesis doing what it feels is necessary in the national interest.I just wanted to make sure that the family had lines of communications open."

Canadian killed by captors in Philippines

8 years ago

Duration 7:53

Former Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae discusses the death of his friend John Ridsdel at the hands of kidnappers in the Philippines.

A 'brutal enemy'

Rae, whosefriendship withRidsdeldates back to university in the1960s,saidthe Canadian government had been "thoroughly engaged" in trying to obtain the return of both Canadians from the outset, but that dealing with a group such asAbuSayyafis beset with challenges.

"We're not dealing with a reasonable group of people.we are dealing with an absolute brutal enemy and nobody should mistake my use of that word," he said.

Officials in the Philippineshad said earlierthatgovernment forces were moving to rescue the two Canadians and a Norwegian after their Muslim militant captors threatened to behead one of them if a huge ransom was not paid.

"Whether things could have been done differently, it's too soon for that to be said. Certainly the family did everything they could to try to reach a solution," said Rae.

Christian Leuprecht, a professor of political science at the Royal Military College of Canada at Queen's University, said that Abu Sayyaf has been around for 25 years and has a record of rape, extortion and kidnapping for ransom.

Leuprecht said that while Abu Sayyafhas pledged allegiance to ISIS, it is really a grouping of crime families upset at the loss of control they had over their region of the country. Theyare at war with the government andanyaffiliation with ISIS was fostered to bolsterits perceived power in the country, he said.

"One of the advantages that someone like Bob Rae brings to bear is that he has tons of international experience, going as far back as helping with peace negotiations in Sri Lanka," Leuprecht said.

We cannot begin to understand the pain you are feeling today, and we pray that you find peace with one another as Canadians stand with you.- Message to family fromRona Ambrose, interim Conservative leader

"He knows a lot of people, he's been in these volatile situations, he knows how to open channels of communication, negotiation with such groups. He's probably among the most experienced people in the country you could hope to have on your side in this difficult situation," he added.

Describing Ridsdel's killing as "shocking and saddening," interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose said she hoped the remaining hostages would be returned safely.

"Incidents like this should remind all of us that the threat of terrorism remains very real,"she said. "We must stand with our allies in solidarity against terrorism, which remains the greatest challenge that the world faces today.

"On behalf of the Official Opposition, I extend my deepest sympathies to Mr. Ridsdel's family and loved ones. We cannot begin to understand the pain you are feeling today, and we pray that you find peace with one another as Canadians stand with you," she added.

AlbertaPremier RachelNotleycondemned the killing in the "strongest possible terms."

"Our hearts are with the Ridsdel family and friends who are forced to live with this horror. I offer the condolences of all Albertans on this tragic ending to almost seven months of fear and anxiety," she said in a statement."Albertans of every faith pray for the rescue of the remaining hostages."

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair condemned Ridsdel's "brutal and senseless murder" and said his party sends sincere condolences to Ridsdel'sfamily and loved ones.

"We stand united in condemning this outrageous and despicable act and call on the Canadian government to work with the Philippine government to do everything possible to rescue the other hostages, including Robert Hall, another Canadian," Mulcair said in a statement. "Tragic events like this must not lessen our diplomatic resolve to work towards peace across the world."