Sayyaf stays captive’s beheading

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines   – The Abu Sayyaf bandit group on Sunday cancelled the beheading of one of its captives in Sulu, citing the observance of Ramadan, the victim’s family said yesterday.

Analiza Lingayan, wife of Remigio Lingayan, confirmed the report after the kidnappers called them up Sunday night to tell them the execution was cancelled. 

“The kidnappers said they would not pursue the beheading because of Ramadan,” Analiza said.

The bandit group kidnapped Lingayan, 50, and his brother-in-law Joselito Gonzales in Indanan town on June 4. The victims were working on a project of Sulu Vice Governor Sakur Tan when the gunmen seized them.

Gonzales was reported killed during an encounter in Patikul between the government security forces and the bandit group last June 19.

Lingayan managed to call Analiza to inform her of the kidnapping and about Gonzales’ death in a firefight.

The police and the military could not confirm the report, saying they were verifying the information.

The kidnappers initially demanded P20 million as ransom for Lingayan’s release. They later reduced the amount to P3 million, but gave the victim’s family 10 days to produce the ransom. The deadline was supposed to have lapsed last Sunday.

Analiza said during a conversation with the kidnappers, she appealed to them not to harm her husband as they were exhausting all means to raise the money.