AFP checking if severed head belongs to Malaysian kidnap victim

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is checking whether the severed head found in Sulu belongs to the Malaysian kidnap victim of the Abu Sayyaf reportedly beheaded last Tuesday.

Although the face of the severed head resembles the Malaysian victim, it still has to undergo the process of verification, according to the military.

“Kahit sabihin mong kamukha, there has to be a proper process,” said Capt. Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson of Joint Task Force Zambasulta.

“Kung sa itsura, kamukha niya talaga but then hindi kami ang rightful authority kasi may legal implication eh. Hindi kami ang magsasabi nun,” he added.

READ: Severed head of Malaysian kidnap victim recovered–military source

He also would not confirm if the Malaysian kidnap victim was indeed beheaded but military sources have reported this last Tuesday.

The severed head was found inside a package on Tuesday night in Jolo, Sulu. It was marked Bernard Ghen Ted Fen, the name of the Malaysian captive.

READ: Malaysian hostage beheaded by Abu Sayyaf–report

On Wednesday afternoon, a military report said a headless cadaver was unearthed in Barangay Kagay in Indanan Sulu.

But on Thursday, Trinidad denied the said report.

“Wala pala yung body na nakuha eh,” he said, adding efforts to locate the body of the severed head continued.

No less than Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak condemned the beheading of the hostage, who was kidnapped in May in Sandakan, Malaysia.

His companion, meanwhile, was released early this month reportedly after paying a ransom. RC