UNDATED file photo from the private terrorism monitor SITE Intelligence Group on purportedly shows members of the Abu Sayyaf. The Islamist terrorist group has reportedly beheaded a village chair from Dapitan City. AFP/SITE INTELLIGENCE GROUP
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Abu Sayyaf bandits have beheaded the chair of Barangay Aliguay, Dapitan City, whom they kidnapped in May with two personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard.
Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, chief of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, said the headless body of Rodolfo Boligao was recovered in Barangay Labah in Maimbung, Sulu, on Tuesday evening.
He said village authorities in Labah and of nearby Laum alerted the police.
Navy Commander Roy Vincent Trinidad, chief of staff of Task Force Zambasulta, said village authorities conducted a search and found a head at about 10 p.m.
Along with the head was a piece of paper, in which, the following words were written: “Rodolfo E. Buligao, Brgy Chairman of Brgy Aliguay Island, Dapitan City.”
Dr. Raden Ikbala of the Sulu Integrated Provincial Health Office said they examined the cadaver and the head and concluded that “they belonged to one person.”
“We have reattached the head and the cadaver will be shipped back to the (Boligao) family in Dapitan,” he said.
Citing a report by the Maimbung police, Trinidad said Boligao was beheaded when the Abu Sayyaf did not get the ransom money they demanded from the victim’s family.
The military said it was not certain about the fate of the two Coast Guard personnel – SN2 Gringo Villaluz and SN1 Rod Pagaling – who were kidnapped along with Boligao on May 4.
The two Coast Guard personnel were visiting Boligao when Abu Sayyaf gunmen suddenly barged in and forcibly took them away.
In June, a video posted on the Facebook account of a certain Kupal Lord, showed Boligao, Villaluz and Pagaling blindfolded and without shirts.
They pleaded for help as one of the eight armed men, whose faces were covered with scarves or hoods, threatened to behead them if the ransom demand of P1 million for each of them would not be paid.
“We are urging our government to help us because they will kill us,” a man who identified himself as Pagaling, said.
Another captive, who identified himself as Villaluz, said they were hoping that help would come soon or they would end up dead.
When it was his turn to issue an appeal, Boligao called on Dapitan City Mayor Rosalina Jalosjos, Representative Fredrick Seth Jalosjos and Romeo Jalosjos to help them.
“Have pity in us, please help us,” he said.
The Abu Sayyaf is a ragtag band of self-styled Islamists, which gained notoriety for its kidnapping, bombing and beheading activities.
It was also said to have established links with other terror groups in neighboring Indonesia and Malaysia.
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