PCPM holds prayer vigil to save Canadian hostage in Mindanao

PCPM holds prayer vigil to save Canadian hostage in Mindanao

Prayer vigil rally participants group photo at Bathurst-Wilson Parkette. From Left to right: Joey Abrenilla, Ben Corpuz, Cory Coutts, Ron Culinista Turla, Ferdinand Guevarra, Daisy Pedrosa, Jenny, Alvin Bascon, Rose May Navarra, Sharon Alejo Caquez, Amy Pioquinto and Becca Turno Cavoberde (Photo by Lui Queano)

By Lui Queaño

Pinoy in Canada Patriotic Movement (PCPM) formerly known as Pinoy Duterte Movement held a prayer vigil rally at Bathurst-Wilson parkette last June 8 in a move to appeal the incoming President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to stop the scheduled beheading of a Canadian being held hostage by Abbu Sayyaf in Jolo Mindanao.

The Abu Sayyaf had threatened to behead Canadian Robert Hall whom they kidnapped in September last year including 20 other foreigners from a marina on southern Samal Island if a large ransom was not paid by June 13.

“We organized this prayer vigil rally to stir up the emotions of the Filipino-Canadians here in Toronto and awaken the patriotic spirit of our countrymen that despite our absence from the Philippines we can contribute and help the next government to gather support for Mr Robert Hall’s freedom from his captors,” Ron Culianista Turla, founder of PCPM and an active staunch Duterte supporter in Toronto.

“The beheading of a Canadian last month by the Abbu Sayyaf group was simply not a good image that we want to project in the world particularly in the light of the new administration under President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte. Filipinos are not terrorists, we love human beings,” Turla further said.

Ron Culianista Turla of Pinoy in Canada Patriotic Movement (PCPM) (Photos by Lui Queano)

Early on this year, John Ridsdel, a retiree in his late 60s was beheaded on April 25 after Philippine and Canadian authorities failed to pay the ransom of 300 million pesos (the equivalent of $6.5 million USD). The man’s head was found dumped outside city hall on Jolo, an impoverished province in the far south of the Philippines that is a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf Islamist group.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the killing by the Abbu Sayyaf as an act of cold-blooded murder by a desperate terrorist group and vowed to prosecute the killers, and promised for the immediate release of the other hostages.

About a week ago, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte apologized to Prime Minister Trudeau over the beheading by Abbu Sayyaf Muslim militant group of hostage John Ridsdel after authorities failed to pay the ransom of $6.40M. Duterte promised to apprehend the criminals and exact justice when he assumes office come July 1.

“This is simply an issue of isolated criminal elements on illegal extortion but more so we are seeking peace and justice for the resolution of this case. We should reach out to our “kababayans” to pray for the release of Mr. Robert Hall. We should support all peaceful means possible to bring Mr. Hall back to Canada and reunite with his family,” Ben Corpuz one of the founders of Koalisyon Kontra Dayaan (KKD) and Migrante Partylist Coordinator in Toronto said during his brief solidarity message.

Joey Abrenilla, a member of KKD, spoke of how the Filipinos in Toronto can come together and foster unity particularly in the light of the new administration under President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte.

“We should give Mr. Duterte a chance to prove himself that he is the person to bring about change in our country. It’s about time we come together and be a part of that “change” for the welfare of all Filipinos and of our beloved country. The case of Mr. Robert Hall is an opportunity for us Filipinos here in Canada to appeal for the incoming President Duterte to address the problem amicably and bring Mr. Hall back to Canada,” Abrenilla said.

Various Filipino community groups attended the prayer vigil rally including Dridge Eli of Katipunan, Alvin Bascon lead vocals of Breeding Grounds, Kevin Feliciano of Krownless Kings Represent, Ricky Cruz of IWELD Canada, Channel and Vien of Modelo Clinic, Mike Cruz of Coal Studio, Jonathan Modo of Pinoy in Canada Patriotic Movement (PCPM), Arnel Lopez, Cory Coutts, Daisy Pedrosa, Becca Caboverde, Ferdinand Guevarra, BISDAK group and other Duterte supporters.