Gov't. agencies checking reports of German beheading-- DFA

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 27): Gov't. agencies checking reports of German beheading-- DFA

Concerned government agencies are not losing hope that kidnapped German Juergen Kantner is still alive amid reports that he was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf Group Sunday afternoon, the Department of Foreign Affairs(DFA) said Monday.

“We’re verifying this report with concerned agencies,” DFA Spokesman and Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said in a text message.

He added the DFA is closely coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in order to give an accurate report.

The German Embassy in the Philippines remains mum about the matter as reporters assigned at the DFA tried to get information on Kantner but to no avail.

The Abu Sayyaf Group threatened to behead the German national should the family fail to deliver ransom money on February 26 at 3p.m.

The AFP cannot give categorical answers as they rely on information from the ground. They claimed that they already tapped the local government and even the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to help find the victim or his body.

The military has said they received a report on the German victim's supposed beheading, but this can only be confirmed if and when the remains are recovered.

Meanwhile, PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa recanted his earlier statement of beheading information saying that he just based his information on intelligence report.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=967545