The two were traveling with their yacht in southern Philippine waters when they were attacked by jihadists. Sabine Merz died trying to resist her attackers. Jurgen Kantner, 70, contacted the authorities and identified. The couple had been kidnapped by Somali pirates in 2008.
Manila (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The jihadist Abu Sayyaf group allegedly killed a German woman and kidnapped her husband. Yesterday morning a yacht was found in the waters of Tawi-tawi (the southernmost province of the Philippines). Aboard the lifeless body of Sabine Merz, a German national, who had been shot dead. There was no trace of her husband Jurgen Kantner, 70 years.
Muammar Ashkali (aka Abu Ramie), self-proclaimed spokesman of Abu Sayyaf, has contacted the authorities claiming responsibility for the attack and the kidnapping: "Unfortunately the other is dead - he said, referring to the woman - she tried to fire and so we shot her and she died. " During the phone call, Kantner was able to speak with authorities and identify himself.
The German couple had already suffered a kidnapping. In June 2008, the two were kidnapped by pirates off Somalia and held for 52 days. According to a German newspaper they had been released after payment of 600 thousand dollars, but Kantner has refused to explain the conditions of his release.
Abu Sayyaf is small but makes up for it as the most dangerous and violent Islamist groups fighting for the secession of southern Philippines. It is very active in the provinces of Basilan and Sulu (whose capital is Jolo). Kidnapping for ransom is their largest source of income.
In 2016 the jihadists were responsible for the beheading of the Canadian John Ridsdel. According to some sources, the group could be the same group that released the former PIME missionary Rolando Del Torchio.