DFA condemns killing of German hostage

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday condemned the killing of a German hostage under the hands of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has confirmed that German captive Juergen Gustav Kantner had been beheaded by the terrorist group.

The Abu Sayyaf earlier released a video showing the 70-year-old Kantner being beheaded by a masked militant with a curved knife.

"We condemn, in the strongest terms, this cruel and inhuman act by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), and reiterate our firm resolve to oppose terrorism in all its forms," the DFA said in a statement.

"The Philippine Government will do its utmost to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice," the statement read.

The DFA also extended its sympathies to the family and friends of Kantner and the government and the people of Germany.

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned "this abominable act, which shows once again how inhumane and without conscience these terrorists act," spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement. "We must all stand together to fight against them."

German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer would not give any details on possible negotiations with the kidnappers, including whether there was a ransom demand, citing government policy and saying that "public comment never helps in finding a solution" in such cases.

On February 14, the ASG threatened to execute Kantner if the P30 million ransom was not paid by 3 p.m. on February 26.

The ASG had claimed kidnapping Kantner and killing a woman sailing with him off Sabah, Malaysia in November 2016.

According to the military, villagers later found a dead woman on a yacht with the German flag off Laparan Island in Sulu.

Kantner and his partner Sabine Merz were taken hostage by Somali pirates in 2008 and later freed, officials said. — with reports from Associated Press