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[av_heading heading=’Terrorists in our backyard’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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Wednesday, March 1, 2017
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WE MUST condemn the heinous act of terror group Abu Sayyaf which brutally killed a German citizen. The Islamist extremists published a video showing the beheading process of the 70-year-old Juergen Gustav Kantner. This inhuman act must be deplored in the strongest possible terms.
Kantner was abducted in early November when he encountered the terrorist group. He was traveling with his partner Sabine Merz off Sabah in Malaysia. Merz was killed on the scene by the Islamist militants.
Abu Sayyaf had demanded a ransom of P30 million by Sunday. Both Philippine and German governments stuck to principle and did not give any money. The Abu Sayyaf is believed to have links with the Islamic State militants in the Middle East. It has been carrying out kidnappings not only of foreigners but also of Filipinos.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned Kantner’s killing as “barbaric” and “abhorrent.” She then called for a world united front against terrorism.
Indeed, the beheading of Kantner emphasized the importance of cooperation among nations in the global fight against terrorism. Thousands of innocent lives have been lost on account of the unspeakable consequences of terrorism in other parts of the world. Countries should strengthen intelligence efforts and continue to work together by sharing information, and mutually reinforcing each other’s capacities against terrorism.
Another precious life had been needlessly lost. There must be a stop to this killing of the innocent and the helpless. Terrorism has no place in a country like ours and we as a people must confront violent extremism every time it rears its ugly head. This kind of atrocity has no room in our peace-loving society. Regardless of age, gender, race and religious beliefs, let us all stand united in the fight against terrorism. Despite our diversity, we must be one in condemning the attacks on innocent civilians.
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