Abus behead Malaysian hostage

MANILA, Philippines - A Malaysian hostage who was kidnapped in May from a resort in Malaysia’s Sabah state by the Abu Sayyaf was beheaded in Indanan, Sulu after his family failed to pay the ransom, a military official said yesterday.

Joint Task Group Sulu chief Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado said Bernard Ghen Ted Fen, the remaining Malaysian hostage from the abduction, was beheaded near Barangay Taran in Indanan at around 4 p.m. yesterday. 

The bandit group was reportedly led by Alden Bagade and Idang Susukan.

They had demanded a P40-million ransom for Fen’s release.

The victim was kidnapped along with restaurant manager Thien Nyuk Fun in Sandakan, Sabah last May. Fun was released by Abu Sayyaf early this month.  

Citing intelligence reports, Arrojado said the victim’s body was buried in the vicinity where he was beheaded.  

Fen was killed as government troops conducted an air raid on the lair of the terrorist group.

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

The body has yet to be found.

Security forces have been ordered to pursue the kidnappers and locate the body. – Roel Pareño