The Philippines has confirmed Canadian hostage Robert Hall was killed by Islamist militants. Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister, earlier said he had “every reason to believe” that Robert Hall had been killed. Hall was taken hostage by the Abu Sayyaf group along with three other people at a resort on Samal island in September 2015. In April Abu Sayyaf beheaded Canadian John Ridsdel, a former mining executive, after a demand for C$6.3m in ransom was ignored. “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,” said Benigno Aquino, the Philippines president.

Source: The Guardian June 13, 2016 17:12 UTC