KINONDENA ng Palasyo ang pagpugot ng bandidong Abu Sayyaf sa isa pang bihag na Canadian national na dinukot sa Samal Island, Davao del Norte noong Setyembre, 2015.
Kasabay nito, ipinaabot ni Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) head Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma ang pakikiramay ni Pangulong Aquino sa mga naulila ng Canadian na si Robert Hall.
“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. We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his bereaved family,” sabi ni Coloma.
Pinugutan si Hall matapos namang magtapos ang ultimatum na ibinigay ng Abu Sayyaf alas-3 ng hapon kahapon kung saan humihingi ang teroristang grupo ng P600 milyong ransom.
“We thank the Canadian government and people for their steadfast support and understanding which has been extremely helpful in our determined efforts to end this decades-old problem,” dagdag ni Coloma.
Nauna nang sinabi ni Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau na hindi magbibigay ng ransom ang kanyang gobyerno kung saan una nang pinugutan ang isa pang Canadian na si John Ridsdel noong Abril 25.
“We truly regret that our people’s cherished tradition of extending gracious hospitality toward foreign nationals has been marred by a small band of criminals whose despicable actions have been abetted by the extortion of ransom from their previous victims,” ayon pa kay Coloma.
Kasama nina Ridsdel at Hall ang Norweigian na si Kjartan Sekkingstad at Pinay girlfriend ng huli na si Marites Flor nang sila ay dukutin sa Samal Island.
“For the past two months, the AFP and the PNP have waged continuing military and law enforcement operations that have degraded the capability of our enemies and limited their movements. This latest heinous crime serves to strengthen our government’s resolve to put an end to this reign of terror and banditry,” ayon pa kay Coloma.