The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) still has to receive confirmation about the reported beheading of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) hostage Jurgen Kantner.
Reports came out yesterday alleging that Kanter has been beheaded by the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Muammar Askali alias “Abu Rami” at Sitio Talibang, Brgy. Buanza, about 3:30 p.m. Sunday in Indanan, Sulu, following the failure by Philippine and German authorities to pay the P30 million ransom demand set by the bandit group.
But AFP Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo reiterated that efforts are being made by troops on the ground to validate reports about the real situation of the kidnapped German national.
“Until we see the body of the victim, we will not make any conclusion. There is still hope and we will continue with the conduct of operations,” said Arevalo.
Arevalo, in the same press briefing, said that the AFP have also sought the help of the local government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in finding the body of Kantner if indeed he has been victimized by the Abu Sayyaf.
For his part, AFP spokesman Air Force Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said they are still on the process of authenticating & validating all the information media has been receiving.
“Until sufficient proof is obtained that supports this info, our assumption remains that the subject kidnapped victim is alive and well. Do not believe unvalidated information going around until proven otherwise,” Padilla stressed.