Body of Malaysian hostage transported to Zamboanga for forensics

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The military transported to this city the headless remains of Malaysian hostage Bernard Then Ted Fen recovered Monday night in Sulu, officials said.

The remains in metal casket were transported using the navy patrol craft from Jolo and arrived at Majini Pier in Romulo Espaldon Naval station here Tuesday morning, said Col. Alan Arrojado, chief of the Joint Task Group Sulu.

The body was then brought to the local funeral for processing and DNA confirmation by the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) personnel before it will be flown to Malaysia.

Arrojado said the headless remains were recovered by the military intelligence unit and troops from the 501st Infantry Battalion Monday night at Sitio Lungon-lungon, Barangay Lanao Dakula, Parang town.

READ: Remains of Malaysian hostage recovered in Sulu

The body was traced almost after a month when Fen was beheaded by his Abu Sayyaf captors led by Alhabsy Misaya and Idang Susukan last November 17 after the victim’s family reportedly failed to pay the P30-million ransom.

Fen’s decapitated head was dumped by the Abu Sayyaf group in a village in Jolo a day later.

The victim along with fellow Malaysian restaurant manager Thien Nyuk Fun were seized in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia and brought to Sulu as captives.

Fun was freed a week earlier before the Abu Sayyaf beheaded Fen following payment of ransom.