Abu Sayyaf group beheads Sarawakian hostage in Jolo

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KOTA KINABALU: Terrorist group Abu Sayyaf was reported to have beheaded the last Malaysian hostage it kidnapped from a seafood restaurant in Sandakan in May this year after releasing its manager recently.

Bernard Then was beheaded just hours after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak landed in Manila for the two-day summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Philippines Joint Task Group Sulu Commander Brigadier-General Alan Arrojada confirmed that the 39-year-old engineer from Sarawak was beheaded around 4pm in the Abu Sayyaf stronghold of Jolo, Philippines.

Arrojado said that the Indanan-based Abu Sayyaf, led by sub-leaders Alden Bagade and Indang Susukan, carried out the beheading in Taran, Indanan about 4pm after negotiations had broken down.

Arrojado, quoting military intelligence sources, said Then was decapitated and buried immediately.

A few hours before the beheading, the military launched air strikes on Abu Sayyaf territory.

“It appears that the beheading pushed through almost simultaneously with the bombardment and rocket fire,” he said.

Arrojado said he had ordered Marine and Scout Ranger units to do pursuit operations and locate the victim’s body.

Meanwhile, sources from the military and social workers in the Philippines said Then was killed by the Abu Sayyaf gunmen who were being pursued by Philippine military in the Butaran Hill area around Indanan village.

It was reported Then had suffered leg injuries while in captivity and had been slowing down his captors.

According to Jolo-based social workers, the Abu Sayyaf planned to release a video of the alleged beheading soon.

They said they received news of the beheading, but could not confirm which Abu Sayyaf leader carried out the killing.

The beheading came just a week after Abu Sayyaf freed Thien Nyuk Fun, the 50-year-old Ocean King Seafood Restaurant manager who was kidnapped along with Then.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar tweeted Tuesday night that the police have been unable to confirm Then’s fate at the moment.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said that they have yet to receive any word about Then.

So far, Philippines officials have also not confirmed the beheading.

Following the release of Thien on November 8 after spending almost six months in captivity, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Monday said the government was working to secure Then’s freedom.

“We believe if the captors are generous to not impose strict conditions, then the other victim will be released soon,” he said.

Abu Sayyaf gunmen had demanded ransom for the duo’s release but Zahid denied any ransom was paid for the release of Thien.