Abus behead Sulu principal

MANILA, Philippines – Abu Sayyaf bandits have beheaded a public school principal kidnapped last month in Patikul, Sulu, the military reported yesterday.

Maj. David Hontiveros, spokesman for the military’s Western Mindanao Command, said the severed head of Gabriel Canizares, 36, a resident of Lower San Raymundo in Jolo, was found inside a bag that was left at a gasoline station in Jolo at around 5 a.m. yesterday. His body has not yet been found.

“The terrorists have once again proven their barbaric nature,” Hontiveros said.

He said the troops that were coordinating with the local crisis management committee for the planned rescue operations for Canizares, principal of the Kanague Elementary School in Patikul, would now shift to punitive action against the Abu Sayyaf.

Investigators said that 12 armed bandits abducted Canizares last Oct. 19 while the victim and several other teachers were on board a passenger jeepney on their way home from the school. The kidnappers only took Canizares.

Reports said the bandits did not make public any ransom demand in exchange for the release of the school principal, but there were reports that the kidnappers had demanded a P2-million ransom.

Canizares was the latest victim of abduction by the Abu Sayyaf following the kidnapping early this year of International Committee of the Red Cross aid workers Andreas Notter, a Swiss citizen, Italian Eugenio Vagni, and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro told reporters during the celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of the Department of National Defense at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, that the latest atrocity by the Abu Sayyaf should send a strong message to the people of Sulu to support the campaign against terrorism and lawlessness.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Victor Ibrado said government troops would continue manhunt operations for the suspects.

Philstar

Related posts

• Vagni ponders retirement (0)
• Vagni leaves RP (0)
• Update on Abu Sayyaf frees kidnapped farmer in Basilan (0)
• Sulu Gov’s convoy bombed; mayor, 5 escorts hurt (0)
• State of emergency in Sulu; attack looms (0)
• Sayyaf wants troops to leave parts of Sulu’ (0)
• Sayyaf rejects troop pullout; fate of ICRC hostages hangs (0)
• Red Cross rejects $5-million Sayyaf ransom demand (0)
• Proof of life: Vagni calls wife – PNRC (0)
• No to amnesty for Abu Sayyaf (1)