The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) condemned the beheading of 70-year-old German national Juergen Gustav Kantner by Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu.
AFP Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo, made the remark after they received information from reliable sources confirming that Kantner was mercilessly and inhumanly murdered by the criminal group.
The Abu Sayyaf even released a video showing Kantner’s execution.
“It’s a mournful day for all peace loving and God-fearing citizens of the Philippines,” said Arevalo.
Arevalo also assured they gave their all and will continue to do a no-nonsense drive against the bandits.
“We lost some of our best men in the process, because we value the life of Mr. Kantner and that of the others who have fallen prey to this terrorist group,” said Arevalo. “There will be no let up in our operations until we have rescued all the remaining kidnap victims.”
Police reports earlier stated that Kantner was 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.
The location of the body of the victim, however, has yet to be known according to police.
Askali earlier claimed to have kidnapped the 70-year-old Kantner while on board his yacht off the waters of Tanjong Luuk Pisuk, Sabah last November.
Kantner’s female companion said to be his wife and identified as Sabrina Wetch was later found lifeless inside the yacht on Laparan Island, Pangutaran, Sulu, on November 6, 2016.
In a two-minute and 19-second video released two weeks ago, a frail Kantner is seen appealing to German and Philippine authorities to help facilitate the payment of P30 million lest he’ll be beheaded by 3 p.m. of February 26, 2017.
Guarded by four heavily armed men, believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf Group, Kantner was seen kneeling and airing his appeal in his native German language while an unidentified man was aiming a jungle bolo to his neck.
Another man was recording Kantner’s appeal on video.