AFP chief Año vows to bring Abu Sayyaf culprits to justice over Kantner beheading

Armed Forces chief General Eduardo Año on Tuesday vowed to pursue the Abu Sayyaf and bring them to justice over the beheading of German national Jüergen Kantner in Sulu. 

"We sympathize with the family of Mr. Kantner because unfortunately he was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf, but of course this would even make our (troops) more committed to pursue these perpetrators in order to bring them to justice," Año said in a statement. 

On Monday night, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza confirmed Kantner's beheading, three months after he was captured while on board his yacht off Sabah. 

Reports said Kantner was beheaded on Saturday in Sulu after the Abu Sayyaf's deadline for the payment of a P30-million ransom was not met.

Authorities have yet to recover the remains of Kantner.

Año said the group behind Kantner’s execution belonged to the faction of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Abu Rami, who answers to Isnilon Hapilon.

“Yes, grupo ni Sahiron yung humawak pero may mga sub-leaders yan like yun nga si Abu Rami, siya yung inatasan na magexecute,” he said.

The AFP chief added Kantner was separated from the larger group of Sahiron after the terrorist group clashed with government troops three days ago.

“In the case of Kantner, anim lang na Abu Sayyaf ang may hawak sa kanya. He was spirited out of Sahiron's camp,” Año said.

Año said they are now hunting the groups of Sahiron and Furuji Indama, who stands as the Abu Sayyaf leader in Basilan.

Operations in Sulu, Basilan

At present, Año said the military has ongoing operations against the Abu Sayyaf in the provinces of Basilan and Sulu.

"We have ongoing operations now in Basilan and Sulu, we will continue until we are able to rescue the remaining hostages and prevent furture kidnapping," he said.

Año added the military has enough troops deployed in Tawi-tawi. 

Last week, the military foiled an Abu Sayyaf attempt to kidnap the crew of three maritime vessels off the waters of Celebes Sea.

“We are engaging the local government, but as we engage hindi pa talaga sila ka-fully committed. Siguro meron pa silang mga hesitation like threats to their families, probably a little more effort to make them really fully committed to this cause but eventually we will attain that,” Año said.

“We are asking the support of the community, this cannot be solved by military solutions alone. We need the support of other stakeholders especially the people of Sulu,” he added. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/RSJ, GMA News