* Philippines confirms execution of Canadian held by Abu Sayyaf

* Canada and Philippines condemn killing

* Second Canadian executed in past two months

* Al Qaeda-linked group known for beheadings, extortion

TORONTO/MANILA - The Philippines on Tuesday confirmed the execution of a Canadian who had been held hostage by the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf Islamist militant group on a remote southern island with three other people since September 2015.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in Toronto on Monday that it appeared the second execution of a Canadian hostage by Abu Sayyaf in recent months had taken place.

"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," Philippines President Benigno Aquino said in a statement.

Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma, who extended condolences to Hall's bereaved family, expressed regret that the reputation of Filipinos for hospitality towards foreigners was marred by the abduction and beheading committed by Abu Sayyaf militants.

"We truly regret that our people's cherished tradition of extending gracious hospitality towards foreign nationals has been marred by a small band of criminals whose despicable actions have been abetted by the extortion of ransom from their previous victims," he said.

Hall was taken captive with three other people by Abu Sayyaf militants from an upscale resort on Samal island, hundreds of miles east of Jolo.

Another Canadian who was held captive, former mining executive John Ridsdel, was executed by the group in April. A Norwegian man and a Filipino woman are still held captive.

READ: Canadian hostage's tropical retirement dream ends in cold blood

Their captor had demanded a P300 million for the release of the hostages but the Philippine and Canadian governments both reiterated a policy against paying ransom to terrorist groups.

Intelligence reports said Hall was executed some 15 minutes after the 3 p.m. ransom deadline on Monday in the mountains outside the island's Patikul town.

A Philippines military spokesman had said earlier a severed head had been found near a Catholic cathedral on a remote southern island late on Monday. No identification had been made yet.

Trudeau told reporters that "Canada holds the terrorist group who took Mr. Hall hostage fully responsible for this cold-blooded and senseless murder".

Canada gov't believes hostage has been killed in PH

Coloma said the Army and national police will heighten counter-insurgency operations to bring the Abu Sayyaf extremists to justice.

"For the past two months, the AFP and the PNP have waged continuing military and law enforcement operations that have degraded the capability of our enemy and limited their movements," he said.

"This latest heinous crime serves to strengthen our government resolve to put an end to this reign of terror and banditry."

The presidential spokesperson also thanked the Canadian government for its continued support in the Philippines' anti-terrorist drive.

"We thank the Canadian government for their steadfast support and understanding which has been extremely helpful in our determined efforts to end this decades old problem," he said.

The ragtag group of several hundred bandits is a radical offshoot of a Muslim separatist insurgency that has claimed more than 100,000 lives in the south of the mainly Catholic Philippines since the 1970s.

The group has gained international notoriety for snatching off foreigners in exchange for millions of dollars in ransom. It has also claimed responsibility for the worst terrorist attacks in the Philippines, including the firebombing of a ferry off Manila Bay in 2004 that left over 100 people killed. With a report by ABS-CBN News

READ: Five things to know about the Abu Sayyaf