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NEARLY THREE WEEKS AFTER BEHEADING

Beheaded Canadian’s missing body found in Sulu


The missing body of Canadian kidnap victim Robert Hall, who was beheaded early last month, was found in Talipao, Sulu on Saturday morning.

Maj. Filemon Tan, spokesperson of the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command, said Hall's decomposing body was dug up by troops from the Joint Task Group (JTG) Sulu in Upper Barangay Kamuntayan in Talipao.

It was found by villagers at around 11:35 a.m., Tan added.

He said that the body was brought to the JTG Sulu's headquarters in Barangay Busbus, Jolo town and will be turned over to the Philippine National Police's Crime Laboratory.

"Western Mindanao Command decries the barbaric act of the ASG in beheading its captives which can be described as contrary to the Islamic teachings," Tan said in a statement.

He added the "focused" operations against the Abu Sayyaf are being conducted in known bailiwicks of the local terror group.

Hall was beheaded by the bandits last June 13. It was confirmed by the military the next day. The Abu Sayyaf had also beheaded another Canadian captive, John Risdel.

The beheadings were carried out after the deadlines set by the bandits for the delivery of their ransom demand lapsed.

Hall and Ridsdel were snatched by armed men along with Filipina Marites Hall and Norwegian Kjartan Sikkengstaad from the Ocean View Resort in Barangay Camudmud, Samal City in Davao del Norte last Sept. 21, 2015.

Flor had been released by the bandits.

The new administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is negotiating for the release of the Norwegian captive.

Last June 22, the Abu Sayyaf bandits kidnapped seven Indonesian sailors off Sulu.

Aside from the Norwegian and the seven Indonesian sailors, the military believes that the bandits are still holding captive at least five locals. —ALG, GMA News

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