Philippines verifying German hostage killed by Islamic militants

The Philippine military on February 26 said it has been verifying a claim that a German hostage was killed by the Abu Sayyaf Islamist militant group after authorities failed to pay a ransom on time.

Monday, February 27, 2017 10:48

Philippines verifying German hostage killed by Islamic militants ảnh 1

German nationals Kantner and his wife Sabine Merz (Photo: dailymail.co.uk)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippinemilitary on February 26 said it has been verifying a claim that a Germanhostage was killed by the Abu Sayyaf Islamist militant group after authoritiesfailed to pay a ransom on time.

According to the military, the Abu Sayyaf groupdemanded a 30 million peso ransom (about 600,000 USD) by 3pm on February 25 torelease Juegen Kantner, the German hostage, aged 70.

The militant group claimed that it abductedKantner and killed his wife on a yacht in Malaysia’s Sabahz state in November2016.

An official said the hostage was beheaded in atown in the country’s southern province of Sulu, adding that Philippine troops arein the area.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has claimedthat the Aby Sayyaf group has links with the Islamic State militants in theMiddle East.-VNA

VNA

#hostage #Islamic militants #Abu Sayyaf Philippines

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