REGIONAL | Informant gets proof of life of Abu Sayyaf's German captive

Germans Jurgen Kantner and Sabine Merz had been cruising off neighboring Malaysia’s Sabah state. Kantner was held captive by the Abu Sayyaf while Merz was shot and killed on their yacht by the terror group after she resisted. File | By Roel Pareño via Philstar

           

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Security forces intercepted a photo of a captive German sailor in what was described as proof of life of the victim held by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the mountain of Sulu.

 

A security source disclosed that the picture of the victim Juergen Kantner was taken by an informant last November 11 about 7:40 a.m. somewhere in the mountain of Sulu.

 

The photo showed a barefoot Kantner, 70, wearing a maroon t-shirt and gray jogging pants while lying on a plastic canvass colored black sprawled on the ground.

 

According to the source, Kantner appeared to be resting and nobody is seen around him unlike in the previous pictures of hostages released by the ASG where the victims are surrounded by the militants.

 

“It could be a proof of life of the victim,” the source who asked not be named as he is not authorized said.

 

Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said they heard about the photo of Kantner but could not consider it yet as proof of life as they are still assessing the material.

 

He said they cannot ascertain yet the condition of the victim just by basing on the picture. He said they have not seen any dated newspaper beside the victim or being held by the victim.

 

“Nevertheless, we are hoping it is true that he is still alive and that we have the chance to rescue him and see him safe once again,” Tan said.

 

The military official also added that they already have leads about the possible place where the victim was brought but could not divulge the information because it could compromise their operation.

 

“The safety of the victim and our ground troops running after are always of utmost concern,” Tan said.

 

Kidnap victims believed to be held in Sulu have currently increased to 22 people, according to Tan. These include 16 foreigners — a Dutch, a German, two Indonesians, five Malaysians, a Korean, six Vietnamese — and six Filipinos.

 

He said the other two captive Indonesians are still subject to confirmation.