For decades, the Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf Group has been considered the most notorious bandit organization in Southeast Asia. It carried out the biggest act of terrorism in Philippine history when it bombed a ferry in 2004, killing more than 100 people.
A recent video clearly shows a new level of brutality not seen in the Philippines in the past few years.
“Aquino, watch this. This is what happens when you don’t do what we told you to do [pay ransom]. And if I catch you, I will cut your head off too,” said a fighter brandishing a sharp hunting knife. He was addressing former Philippine President Benigno Aquino.
The man then slowly decapitated his hostage, hacking and slicing with the blade. It took several seconds for his victim to die. The 92-second video was uploaded to YouTube a few months ago. The executioner did not even hide his face.
Beheading is one of the most brutal forms of execution. It is made worse when the execution is not done in one fell swoop, as was done officially with the guillotine in France up until 1977. The execution carried out by Abu Sayyaf was done deliberately slow, with slashes and hacks from a hunting knife, as is the fashion of the Islamic State and its aligned groups.
Sulu, a southern backwater island province in the Philippines, has gained notoriety as Southeast Asia’s kidnapping capital. It is jungle terrain where the Abu Sayyaf is known to operate.
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Jon Harris is a Senior OpsLens Contributor and former Army NCO, Sergeant Morales Club member, civilian law enforcement officer, and defense contractor with over 30 years in the law enforcement community.
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