Body of Canadian Robert Hall found in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY Philippines – Authorities have recovered the remains of Canadian kidnap victim Robert Hall who was killed by the Abu Sayyaf Group in June.

Police intelligence sources said members of Joint Task Group (JTG) Sulu dug up the decomposing remains of Robert Hall in Upper Barangay Kamuntayan in Talipao, Sulu, before noontime Saturday, July 2, after receiving information from locals.

The remains have been brought to the JTG headquarters in Jolo for documentation before being turned over to the Philippine National Police Scene of the Crime Operatives (PNP SOCO).

The Abu Sayyaf beheaded Hall on June 13 after the deadline for the group’s ransom demand lapsed. Civilians later found his head in front of the gate at the Jolo Cathedral.

Hall was the second Canadian hostage killed by the Abu Sayyaf in a group of 4 kidnapped from Samal Island in Davao del Norte in September last year. The first was John Ridsdel, in April. In both cases, they were killed after a ransom deadline passed.

The others in the group are Marites Flor, Hall’s Filipino girlfriend who was released last week; and Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkingstad, who remains in captivity.

Focused military operations are being undertaken in the area to recover the remaining victim. – Richard Falcatan/Rappler