Sayyaf beheads German

From the Philippine Star (Feb 27): Sayyaf beheads German



German hostage Juergen Gustav Kantner holds a flag declaring ‘This is my last hour’ in a photo tweeted on Dec. 29, 2016 by user @TerrorEvents.

The Abu Sayyaf has reportedly executed German captive Juergen Gustav Kantner after the deadline the group imposed for the ransom payment lapsed yesterday.

Reports received by the military and police showed the bandit group led by its sub-leader Muamar Askali, alias Abu Rami, beheaded Kantner at about 3:30 p.m. in Barangay Buanza, Indanan, Sulu.

Last Saturday, the military launched air strikes against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu as the deadline approached for the group to behead its German captive.

The Philippine Air Force 3rd Air Division utilized MG520 attack helicopters and pounded about 40 to 60 Abu Sayyaf militants with rockets.

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Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command, said ground commander Col. Cirilito Sobejana confirmed that the air strikes were directed against the bandits encamped in the mountains of Patikul, Sulu.

The Abu Sayyaf demanded P30 million in ransom for the release of Kantner, whom they seized in November.

Government forces searched for Kantner’s remains yesterday. Without the remains, the military and police said that while they received the report about Kantner’s beheading, they could not yet officially confirm it.

Petinglay said they were validating the information.

A naval officer said they received a similar report, but they too were verifying it.

Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa said he has not received any feedback from the Sulu provincial police about Kantner’s beheading.

Dela Rosa, who was here yesterday for the 80th Charter Day celebration of Zamboanga City and inauguration of the new city police office, returned to Manila last night.

Sobejana also reported that ground troops were conducting clearing operations on the bombarded site to determine extent of casualties.

 The group warned they would behead the 70-year-old German Juergen Kantner if the P30-million ransom was not delivered before 3 p.m. yesterday.

 However, the military declared yesterday that intense ground operations would continue against the Abu Sayyaf.

 “We will not be cowed by the demands of evil individuals and groups who continue to perpetuate practices contrary to Islam,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a statement yesterday.

 “We put a premium on lives now in danger. The Armed Forces will pursue the enemy and dictate the terms, not the other way around. The operations are not only aimed at rescuing hostages but also to significantly degrade enemy capabilities,” AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/02/27/1676160/sayyaf-beheads-german