The Philippine Online Chronicles

A group of Islamic militants allegedly linked to the Abu Sayyaf executed a hostage, 61-year-old farmer Doroteo Gonzales, after his family was unable to pay the P500,000 demanded as ransom by Saturday. Gonzales was kidnapped in Basilan on April 21. His head was found by villagers from Akbar, Basilan at 8 pm yesterday, and was identified by his son. The body is yet to be found.

The group responsible is believed to be part of the ASG. A separate arm on the island of Jolo is still holding Italian Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni, who was kidnapped Jan. 15 together with Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba and Swiss national Andreas Notter. Lacaba was released in early April while Notter was able to subsequently escape.

Agrarian reform secretary Nasser Pangandaman tells GMANews.tv that the actions of the group are “...unacceptable sa Islamic faith. This is really an un-Islamic act.” He also said that following this incident, new orders were given out by Malacañang for the regional director of PNP-ARMM to go after the perpetrators.