Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed his concern regarding the death of a Canadian who was held hostage in the Philippines. Trudeau, together with Britain, wants to push other nations to stop the practice of paying ransoms in order to free hostages.
The Prime Minister believe that giving in to the kidnappers' demands will eventually risk all Canadians who travel or live abroad. Trudeau and British Prime Minister David Cameron believe that the practice of paying ransom is wrong.
During a cabinet retreat in Kananaskis, Alberta, Trudeau said that British and Canada have already agreed to bring up the issue to their allies all over the world. He added that they want to make sure that the terrorists will understand that taking innocent hostages will not fund their crime and violent activity as per Channel News Asia.
As reported by Today Online, the Canadian Prime Minister said that they are closely working with their allies including the Philippines to make sure that the one responsible for the crime will be brought to justice. Trudeau also dismissed reports that he had been involved in talks to free the remaining hostages.
The Abu Sayyaf group is the one responsible for kidnapping former mining executive, John Ridsdel and three other hostages during a vacation in one of the islands in the Philippines last September 2015. Another Canadian has also been held captive by the militant group.
Since the group was formed in the 1990's, they have already made ten and millions of dollars from ransom money which they use to purchase guns, grenade launchers, high-powered boats, and other modern equipments.
According to BBC, Abu Sayyaf is one of the smallest but considered as the most radical Islamist separatist groups in the southern Philippines. It is a breakaway group from a larger Moro National Liberation Front which has a hundred members. The group's name means bearer and sword.
Reports say that most captives in the Philippines are released due to paying ransoms. In 2014, a German couple who was held hostage was released after a $5.3 million ransom was paid. Also, in the year 2000, $10 million was also given to the militant group in exchange with the release of 10 Europeans and Middle Eastern Tourist with the help of the Libyan government.
