The Philippine government on Sunday formally called off the latest round of peace talks with communist insurgents, after the parties failed to resolve a dispute over a rebel order for fighters to step up attacks. “We are maintaining the decision made not to participate in the fifth round of talks,” chief government negotiator Jesus Dureza … Read more
Peace talks between the Philippine government and communist insurgents broke down on Saturday after a dispute over the rebels’ ordering their fighters to step up attacks. But communist negotiators remained hopeful that the discussions being held at a seaside resort town in the Netherlands would continue, despite the suspension announced by government negotiators. The two … Read more
The Philippine government and communist rebels have agreed in principle on an interim ceasefire to boost ongoing peace talks aimed at ending one of the world’s longest insurgencies, a joint statement said. The temporary truce would take effect after the two sides iron out the guidelines and ground rules, they said without giving a timetable. … Read more
Islamic militants in the Philippines have posted a video showing the beheading of a German hostage. Jurgen Kantner was abducted from his yacht off Malaysia’s Sabah state in November. His companion Sabine Merz’s body was later found on the boat. Mr Kantner, 70, and Ms Merz had been abducted before. They were held for 52 … Read more
The Philippines on Monday condemned the “barbaric beheading” of a German captive by Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf militants, who posted a video of the killing after a deadline for a $600,000 ransom passed. The video showed a machete-wielding militant behead the elderly German hostage, Jurgen Kantner, who had appealed for help twice in short video … Read more
Islamic militants in the Philippines have posted a video showing the beheading of a German hostage. Jurgen Kantner was abducted from his yacht off Malaysia’s Sabah state in November. His companion Sabine Merz’s body was later found on the boat. A deadline for a 30m peso (£483,000; $600,000) ransom expired on Sunday. Mr Kantner, 70, … Read more
Islamic militants in the Philippines have beheaded the German hostage they were holding for ransom, the SITE Intelligence group said Monday. A video posted by the extremist Abu Sayyaf group, which was monitored by SITE, showed German hostage Jurgen Kantner being killed by a knife-wielding man. The video appeared to confirm preliminary reports received by … Read more