By The Associated Press

Decapitated head found as Philippines seeks to rescue 2 Canadian hostages

Apr 25, 2016 | 11:34 AM

Police said the head of a Caucasian male was recovered Monday night in the southern Philippines and DNA tests will be conducted to determine whether it belongs to one of three Western hostages who had been threatened with beheading by ransom-seeking Muslim extremists.

Two Canadians — John Ridsdel and Robert Hall –were among the hostages.

Jolo police chief Supt. Junpikar Sitin said two men on a motorcycle left the head, which was placed in a plastic bag, along a street in Jolo town in Sulu province and then fled.

Abu Sayyaf militants had threatened to behead one of three men two Canadians and a Norwegian they kidnapped last September from a marina on southern Samal Island if a large ransom was not paid by 3 p.m. Monday. It now is early Tuesday in the Philippines.

Military officials said the Canadian and Norwegian embassies were notified of the discovery and the steps that will be taken to identify the victim.

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Jolo Mayor Hussin Amin condemned the beheading, blaming Abu Sayyaf militants, who have been implicated in past kidnappings, beheadings and bombings.