Filipino in Libya beheaded by militia group - DFA

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino male construction worker was beheaded in Libya after he was kidnapped by militiamen, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday.

DFA Spokesman Charles Jose revealed at a televised press briefing that the slain Filipino was kidnapped by militiamen in Benghazi on July 15 and demanded ransom.

"The vehicle that he was riding in was stopped at a checkpoint," Jose said. " There were three of them - a Libyan, a Pakistani and a Filipino. He was allegedly singled out because he was a non-Muslim," said Jose, citing information gathered by the Philippine Embassy in Libya from the Filipino community there.

Jose said the Filipino's employers negotiated with the abductors, but they discovered his body in a state of advanced decomposition four days later in a hospital.

The DFA official said they have notified the victim's family, who requested not to release his identity.

Libya remains largely in chaos following the 2011 civil war, as the rebels who ousted dictator Moammar Gadhafi later formed the militias now holding the country hostage.

Jose said foreigners, particularly non-Muslims, have become "high-value" targets for the militia groups.

The DFA has raised Alert Level 4 (mandatory evacuation) in Libya after the latest security developments and the increasing violence and lawlessness there. -Louis Bacani