Remains of beheaded Malaysian recovered in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Tracking military intelligence unit and troops recovered Monday night in a village of Sulu the decomposing headless body believed to belong to Malaysian hostage Bernard Then Ted Fe, according to ground security official.

Col. Alan Arrojado, chief of the Joint Task Group Sulu, said joint elements of the 9th Intelligence Service Unit and 501st Infantry Battalion recovered the remains about 10:00 p.m. Monday in Barangay Lanao Dakula in Parang town.

Arrojado said the search resulted to the recovery of the body following leads provided by informants on the location where the Abu Sayyaf group possibly buried the decapitated remains of Fen.

“Buo pa ang katawan at hindi pa masyado naagnas when the troops recovered the remains,” Arrojado said.

He said the remains were brought to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Hospital in Barangay Bus-bus for proper processing and disposition.

Fen was abducted along with fellow Malaysian restaurant manager Thien Nyuk Fun last May 14 in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia and were brought to Sulu.

The Abu Sayyaf group released Fun following alleged payment of hefty ransom last November 8 but Fen was kept by its faction under the leadership of Alhabsy Misaya and Idang Susukan.

Authorities said the group of Misaya and Susukan beheaded Fen on November 17 after failure to pay the ransom worth P30 million.  

The decapitated head was placed inside a sack and abandoned hours later in the vicinity of Barangay Walled City, Jolo.

Arrojado said pursuit operations have been ongoing against the Abu Sayyaf group still holding about less than ten hostages, including four foreigners.