“Despite efforts exerted by groups and the security forces, I have received reports about the alleged beheading of a German kidnap victim in Sulu Sunday afternoon,” Dureza said in a statement Sunday night.

“Joint Sulu Task Force commander informed me by phone that validation efforts of such report are still ongoing as of 8:30 pm, Sunday,” he added.

Other Philippine officials confirmed receiving similar informal reports, but could not either prove or deny them.

According to Colonel Edgard Arevalo, the head of the military’s public affairs office, the country’s security forces were still “on search-and rescue” mode, working until they could determine what really happened to Kantner.

According to Restituto Padilla, spokesman for the Philippines armed forces, “Until sufficient proof is obtained… our assumption remains that the subject kidnapped victim is alive and well. Do not believe invalidated information going around until proven otherwise.”

In the meantime, the country’s armed forces are continuing with an offensive operation against the group.

“The armed forces will pursue the enemy and dictate the terms — not the other way around,” Padilla said, according to DW. “The operations are not only aimed at rescuing hostages, but also to significantly degrade enemy capabilities.”

Source:straitstimes.com

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