KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 ― A severed head believed to be that of Bernard Then has been found in Jolo, Philippines, after Abu Sayyaf terrorists reportedly decapitated the Sarawakian engineer they had kidnapped.
Jolo police chief Major Junpikar Sitin told The Star Online that a street sweeper found the head inside a sack with the words “Bernard Then Ted Fen” in the island in southern Philippines at about 8.30pm yesterday.
“We have turned over the head to the military task force for preservation and DNA tests,” he was quoted saying.
The Star Online reported that Then’s body was reportedly buried near Barangay Tanan in Indanan, Jolo, where he was held during his captivity of over six months.
Malaysian police have not confirmed details of yesterday’s purported beheading, which was first picked up by the media in the Philippines.
Filipino news portal Inquirer yesterday quoted Brigadier General Alan Arrojado of the Sulu joint task force group as confirming that Then, 39, was killed after his family failed to comply with the Abu Sayyaf group's ransom demands.
