Abu Sayyaf beheads Malaysian hostage

ABU SAYYAF GROUP (Screenshot from video courtesy of the Institute for the Study of Violent Groups)

The militant Islamist group Abu Sayyaf beheaded yesterday one of its hostages, Malaysian national Bernard Then after a failed ransom money negotiation.

“The family failed to comply with the demand of the ASG based in Indanan which prompted them to execute their plan of beheading Then,” Brig. General Alan Arrojado was quoted as saying in a report by the Manila Bulletin.

Then was arrested on May 2015 while dining in a seafood restaurant in Sandakan, Malaysia.

Government forces had conducted earlier rescue efforts to save Then from the Abu Sayyaf Group. Air strikes were launched in the town of Indianan in Sulu, ASG’s place of hiding but the ASG were able to flee the scene.

“It appears that the beheading pushed through almost simultaneously with the bombardment and the rocket fires,” said Arrojado in the same report,

Arrojado named Alden Bagade and Idang Susukan as the leaders of the Abu Sayyaf who were responsible for beheading Then.

Then’s body was immediately burned near the area where the victim was beheaded. Marine and Scout Rangers have been sent to Barangay Taran in the town of Indanan to retrieve Then’s remains.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak who is at the country to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting has released a statement condemning the murder of Then.

“I, the government, and all Malaysians are shocked and sickened by the murder of our countryman Bernard Then and we condemn it in its strongest terms,” he said.

“We call upon authorities to take action against those who have perpetrated this savage and barbaric act and ensure that they are brought to justice. We will also extend our full cooperation to relevant agencies and authorities in charge on the investigation of this incident,” the Prime Minister added.

Razak also sent condolences to Then’s family and friends.

Then is the third individual who died in the hands of Abu Sayyaf this year. Earlier, a barangay captain from Dapitan city was also abducted and beheaded by the militant group. Just recently, a Korean national died of an illness while held captive by the Abu Sayyaf.

The Abu Sayyaf has also threatened to behead four hostages who are composed of two Norwegian nationals, a Canadian and a Filipina. The group asked one billion each for their freedom.