DEFENSE and military officials said on Monday they were continuing to validate reports the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) beheaded its 70-year-old German captive in Sulu when its demand for the payment of a P30-million ransom expired last Sunday.
No less than Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus G. Dureza, citing sources, confirmed last Sunday night members of the local terrorist group killed Juergen Kantner somewhere in Sulu, three months after they snatched him in Sabah.
The claim was echoed by other officials, including National Police chief Director General Ronald M. dela Rosa, also on Monday, but the PNP chief said the report still needed official validation.
Reports said the beheading of Kantner was carried out at around 3:30 p.m. last Sunday at Sitio Talibang, Barangay Buanza, Indanan, Sulu, by the group of Muamar Askali, alias Abu Rami, the supposed spokesman of the ASG.
Still, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said they could not confirm the execution, unless there was an official validation, which included the recovery of the victim’s body.
“We cannot confirm unless we see the body,” he said.
The line was reiterated by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Ano, who said military operations would continue against the ASG in Western Mindanao.
“Confirmation requires words or testimonies of people who actually witnessed the beheading or physical evidences like body parts,” Ano said.
“What we have are reports from the inside but not actually on the alleged beheading site. According to reports, there were only six ASG men on the site,” he said.