“The PNP and AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] assure that its officers are doing its best to eliminate such evil doing through intensive military and law enforcement operations that are underway to neutralize these lawless elements and thwart further threats to peace and security,” PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said in a statement on Tuesday.

“This type of execution by evil groups on innocent people is very unfortunate and deserves the condemnation of civil society and every peace-loving citizens,” he said.

The PNP condemned in strongest terms the beheading of Hall, who was executed by the members of the Abu Sayyaf Group after the 3 p.m. deadline they set for the P600-million (US$31 million) ransom lapsed on Monday.

Some five hours after, police found a severed head of a Caucasian man near a church in Jolo town, Sulu province.

Mayor said the decapitated head was turned over to Trauma Station Hospital, Kampo Heneral Teodoro Bautista in Jolo for proper disposition.

But earlier Tuesday, PNP Crime Laboratory director Chief Supt. Emmanuel Aranas said the head was flown to Manila this morning for the DNA testing.

The PNP also expressed their condolences to Hall’s family and asked the media not to “highlight the unlawful activity” in respect to the victim’s family and countrymen.

“Further, may I appeal to the members of the media to respect the mourning of the family and let us not highlight such kind of unlawful activity that might add to the sorrow of the bereaved family and his countrymen,” he said. 

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