Ottawa said it was working with authorities to confirm the death after another Canadian national's execution in April. The militant group Abu Sayyaf kidnapped Robert Hall from an island resort in 2015.
Image: picture alliance/empics/J. McIntosh
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday said authorities had "reason to believe" that a Canadian kidnapped by the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf militant group has been killed.
"It is with deep sadness that I have reason to believe that a Canadian citizen, Robert Hall, held hostage in the Philippines since September 21, 2015, has been killed by his captors," the premier said.
Abu Sayyaf militants abducted four people aboard yachts at an upscale tourist resort in September 2015, including Canadian national John Ridsdel, who was beheaded in April after the group failed to receive a ransom of 300 million Philippine pesos ($6.5 million, 5.8 million euros).
Following Ridsdel's execution, Philippine President Benigno Aquino vowed to "neutralize" the group. However, a military offensive proved ineffective. Abu Sayyaf uses the mountainous, jungle terrain, plus the support of local communities to its advantage.
"The vicious and brutal actions of the hostage-takers have led to a needless death. Canada holds the terrorist group who took him hostage fully responsible for this cold-blooded and senseless murder," Trudeau said.
A video surfaced last year purportedly showing for the first time two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipino woman who were abducted by Abu SayyafImage: picture-alliance/AP Photo/B. Marquez
'Terrorist organization'
Although authorities believe the armed group has only a few hundred followers, it is considered one of the most dangerous militant groups in the country. Canada, the US and UN have designated the al-Qaeda affiliate as a "terrorist organization."
Abu Sayyaf rose to notoriety in the 1990s amid a Muslim separatist insurgency in the predominantly Catholic nation that claimed more than 100,000 lives.
The group has carried out several kidnappings since 1991, including a German couple released in 2014 after the militants reportedly received a ransom of $5 million.
The Philippines' 'kidnapping capital'
The conflict between separatists and the Filipino government in the southern island of Mindanao has damaged the local economy. Manila's efforts to curb terrorism and promote tourism don't seem to be working.
Image: DW/B. Das
Ongoing conflict
Mindanao is the second largest island of the Philippines. For four decades, it has been the center of a separatist conflict, which has claimed more than 120,000 lives. The fighting started in the 1960s when the Muslim minority - known as the Moros - began an armed struggle against Manila, demanding a separate homeland in the south.
Image: DW/B. Das
Negative image
Since the 1990s, Mindanao’s Cotabato city has been known as the country's 'kidnapping capital.' Even after many decades, the city still grapples with the negative image.
Image: DW/B. Das
'Destination Mindanao'
The bad name has driven away investments and hampered trade and tourism. In November 2013, the Philippines' government launched the 'Destination Mindanao' campaign to encourage people to visit and invest in the island.
Image: DW/B. Das
Travel advice
The tension has resulted in several countries issuing travel advisories to their citizens wishing to visit Mindanao. This has led to many foreign tourists canceling their plans.
Image: DW/B. Das
Ban on guns
Mindanao is a heavily armed island. Despite a ban on guns, a lot of people, including the civilian security guards (shown in the picture), carry weapons in public places.
Image: DW/B. Das
Ransom
Kidnappings for ransom are common in Mindanao. In 2011, 21 foreigners were kidnapped. An Australian was freed in March last year, after being held captive for 15 months.
Image: DW/B. Das
Life goes on
In 2012, the Filipino government and separatists agreed to form a new autonomous region in the south before 2016. Despite the deal, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has not ceased its attacks. For Mindanao residents, life goes on in the midst of a constant threat of violence. They have somehow learned to live with the insurgency and negative image that goes along with it.
