PHL condemns reported brutal killing of Japanese journalist by ISIS

Hostage Kenji Goto holds a photo fellow hostage Haruna Yakawa who was allegedly decapitated by Islamic State militants.

MANILA  — The Philippines on Monday joined the international community in “resolutely” condemning what appears to be the brutal execution of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto by Islamic State militants.

Last week, an ISIS militant was shown in a video beheading journalist Kenji Goto, 47, sparking outrage in Japan.

The video, which came less than a week after the execution of another Japanese man by the same group, has not been validated, but Japanese officials believe it is authentic.

“We express our condolences to the Japanese people as they cope with the recent loss of two Japanese lives,” a DFA statement said.

The Philippines, it added, “joins Japan and the international community in global efforts to thwart the propagation of extremist ideas, terrorism, violence and crimes against humanity.”