AKIPRESS.COM - The Philippines has confirmed Canadian hostage Robert Hall was killed by Islamist militants, reports The Guardian.

“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,” said Benigno Aquino, the Philippines president.

Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister, earlier said he had “every reason to believe” that Robert Hall had been killed. Hall was taken hostage by the Abu Sayyaf group along with three other people at a resort on Samal island in September 2015.

“It is with deep sadness and anger that I can report we have reason to believe that a Canadian citizen, Robert Hall – held hostage in the Philippines since September 21, 2015 – has been killed by his captors,” said Trudeau, adding he had spoken with Aquino.

“Canada holds the terrorist group who took Mr. Hall hostage fully responsible for this cold-blooded and senseless murder.”

Known for kidnappings, beheadings and extortion, Abu Sayyaf had demanded a payment of C$16.6 mln for the release of Hall as well as Filipina Maritess Flor and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, who is also a permanent resident of Canada.

Reports of Hall’s death began to emerge minutes after the ransom deadline passed.

On Monday, Trudeau reiterated his strong stance against ransom payments. “Canada cannot and will not pay ransoms to terrorists,” he said. “We will not turn the Maple Leaf, worn with pride by over three million Canadians abroad, into targets.”

Trudeau expressed condolences to the friends and family of Hall. “This is a grievous loss for them and their country mourns with them,” he said. His government would continue working with authorities in the Philippines to pursue those responsible and bring them to justice, he said.

The condition of the two other hostages remained unknown.