Malaysia PM says hostage murdered in southern Philippines
Source: AFP
Manila (AFP) - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said Wednesday that a man held for months by Islamic militants in the southern Philippines had been murdered, condemning what he called a "savage and barbaric" act.
Najib's comments came after the Philippine military said it was working to verify reports that Malaysian national Bernard Then had been beheaded by the Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf, which is known for its kidnappings for ransom.
"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," Najib said in a statement on his Facebook page.
Najib, now in Manila for an Asia-Pacific summit, called for "action against those who have perpetrated this savage and barbaric act and ensure that they are brought to justice."
Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/malaysia-pm-says-hostage-held-philippines-murdered-063550229.html
A street sweeper found a severed head believed to be that of Malaysian hostage Bernard Then, who was reportedly murdered by his Abu Sayyaf captors.
The sweeper made the gruesome discovery near a municipal council building in Jolo island, Philippines, last night.
Jolo police chief Major Junpikar Sitin told The Star that the sack had the words "Bernard Then Ted Fen" on it.
"We have turned over the head to the military task force for preservation and DNA tests," he said.
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