Palace condemns Abu Sayyaf killing of Dutch national

May 31, 2019

Malacanang condemned on Friday the death of a Dutch national who had been held hostage by the terrorist Abu Sayyaf since 2012.

"We condemn, in the strongest terms, the death of Mr. Ewold Horn, a Dutch national kidnapped and had been held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf Group since 2012," said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement.

The military's Western Mindanao Command has confirmed Horn's death in an encounter between the government troops and the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Patikul, Sulu on May 31.

"We express our deep condolences to Mr. Horn's family and loved ones. We vow to pursue his killers to the ends of the earth until they are brought to justice," Panelo said.

The group of Abu Sayyaf top leader Radullan Sahiron kidnapped Horn off Parangan, Panglima Sugala in Tawi-Tawi on Feb. 1, 2012.

The military said the Dutch national was shot by one of his guards when he tried to escape from the Abu Sayyaf. Celerina Monte/DMS