Philippine troops hunt Muslim extremists who beheaded Canadian man

Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines

The Philippine military came under increased pressure Tuesday to rescue more than 20 foreign hostages after their Muslim extremist captors beheaded a Canadian man, but troops face a dilemma in how to succeed without endangering the remaining captives.

Abu Sayyaf gunmen beheaded John Ridsdel on Monday in the southern province of Sulu, sparking condemnations and prompting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pledge to help the Philippines pursue the extremists behind the “heinous act.”

“Canada condemns without reservation the brutality of the hostage takers and this unnecessary death,” Trudeau told reporters. “This was an act of cold-blooded murder, and responsibility rests squarely with the terrorist group who took him hostage.”

Trudeau said he spoke earlier with President Benigno Aquino III.

Ridsdel’s head, which was placed in a plastic bag, was dumped by motorcycle-riding militants Monday night in Jolo town in impoverished Sulu, a densely forested province about 590 miles south of Manila, where the Abu Sayyaf and allied gunmen are believed to be holding 22 foreign hostages from six Western and Asian countries.