A Canadian man who had been held hostage by Islamic extremists in the Philippines was confirmed dead, according to a statement Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made Monday afternoon.
“This was an act of cold-blooded murder, and responsibility rests squarely with the terrorist group who took him hostage,” Trudeau told reporters.
John Ridsdel had been held hostage by the militant group since last September. In March, the group posted a video of Ridsdel and three other captives begging for their lives.
One of the men standing behind the hostages said they would “do something terrible against these captives” if their ransom demands were not met.
Trudeau, who would not comment on how the government was working to get the captives back, expressed his “deepest condolences” and said Canada’s efforts to save the other three was ongoing.
