Saturday, November 12, 2016

Abus say German still alive, being held in Sulu

From the Philippine Star (Nov 9): Abus say German still alive, being held in Sulu



The terrorist group is holding captive Jurgen Kantner, 70, in Sulu, Abu Sayyaf spokesman Muamar Askali, alias Abu Rami, confirmed yesterday. Jurgen Kantner, who was allowed by his captors to talk to reporters over the phone, was not aware that his partner, Sabine Isne Merz, 59, had been killed. File photo

The partner of a German woman killed by Abu Sayyaf bandits after they were kidnapped Sunday off Sabah near Tawi-Tawi Island is still alive.

The terrorist group is holding captive Jurgen Kantner, 70, in Sulu, Abu Sayyaf spokesman Muamar Askali, alias Abu Rami, confirmed yesterday.

Kantner, who was allowed by his captors to talk to reporters over the phone, was not aware that his partner, Sabine Isne Merz, 59, had been killed.

The remains of Merz will be turned over to the German embassy, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.
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Col. Edgardo Arevalo, chief of the AFP public affairs office, said efforts are underway to locate Kantner.

The German couple was cruising on a private yacht in the vicinity of Tanjong Luuk Pisuk in Sabah when they were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf gunmen, whom Kantner described as pirates.

“The pirates kidnapped me. I don’t know where Sabine is. Maybe she is alive. Sabine was left behind when the pirates brought me to their boat. Minutes later, I heard shots,” Kantner said.

Askali said Merz was killed after she tried to shoot the Abu Sayyaf bandits. A shotgun was recovered beside her body.

Residents discovered the naked body of Merz on the yacht, which was flying a German flag and drifting off Laparan Island, Pangutaran town in Sulu at around 6 a.m. on Sunday.

The Abu Sayyaf has not issued any demand for the safe release of Kantner.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/11/09/1642009/abus-say-german-still-alive-being-held-sulu

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