UPDATE: Canadian Executed In The Philippines

Wednesday – Forensic experts in The Philippines are working to identify a headless body found Tuesday in a dry creek bed. It’s believed to be that of Calgary businessman John Ridsdel, who was executed this week by a militant group thought to be holding at least one other Canadian among 22 foreign hostages. Thousands of troops are scouring a vast jungle in a southern province in The Philippines in hopes of finding them. Prime Minister Trudeau, while condemning the killing, reiterated Canada’s stand against paying ransoms to terrorists. “Canada does not and will not pay ransom to terrorists, directly or indirectly,” he said. It is “a significant source of funds for terrorist organizations that then allow them to continue to perpetrate deadly acts of violence against innocents around the world.”

Tuesday – Troops in The Philippines are looking for the kidnappers who killed Canadian John Ridsdel yesterday, and are holding another Canadian among 20 foreign hostages. A plastic bag containing Ridsdel’s head was dumped at the side of a road by motorycle-riding militants. He and Robert Hall were taken hostage last September while staying at a resort in The Philippines. Prime Minister Trueau calls Ridsdel’s death a heinous act and has vowed to help Philippines authorities pursue the extremists responsible. Ridsdel was killed when a ransom deadline was not met.