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Al-Qaeda linked militant group beheads Canadian captive in Philippines

A 68-year-old Canadian man was beheaded by members of the Philippine militant group Abu Sayyaf in southern Philippines.

Soldiers gesture aboard a military truck as they are deployed to remote villages in Jolo, Sulu southern Philippines October 17, 2014. | Reuters/Stringer

The victim's head was found inside a plastic bag on a street in Jolo, Sulu on Monday night, April 25. It was reportedly left there by two men riding a motorcycle. A physician from the Integrated Provincial Health Office said the victim was likely decapitated at 3:30 p.m. of the same day, local media platform Inquirer reported.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that the beheaded victim was John Ridsdel from Calgary, Alberta. Ridsdel had been seized by the Abu Sayyaf from a resort in Samal Island in September 2015 together with three others: Robert Hall who is also from Canada, Kjartan Sekkingstad from Norway, and Marites Flor from the Philippines.

Local government officials revealed that the Abu Sayyaf wanted 300 million pesos ($6.4 million) individually for their foreign captives, demanding that the money be given at 3 p.m. last Monday or they would behead one of them.

Despite rescue efforts carried out by Philippine forces as ordered by Pres. Benigno Aquino III, the deadline lapsed without any ransom delivered or any captive rescued, The Washington Post reported.

Trudeau condemned the killing of Ridsdel.

"This was an act of coldblooded murder, and responsibility rests squarely with the terrorist group who took him hostage," he said, according to The New York Times.

Ridsdel was shown in a video last month where he asked the prime minister to help by settling the ransom. However, the Canadian foreign ministry said it will not give in to the terrorists because ransom money is "a significant source of terrorist funding, fueling violence and instability."

Meanwhile, Jolo Chief Insp. Junpikar Sittin said a search will be conducted for Ridsdel's body.

Formed in the 1990s, the Abu Sayyaf group is believed to have ties with the al-Qaeda. Known to have frequent clashes with the military, the Abu Sayyaf has carried out numerous bombings, kidnappings, and beheadings in southern Philippines.