Body of beheaded Sulu principal recovered

The body of a school principal who was beheaded by alleged members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf has been retrieved by authorities. Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina, Philippine National Police spokesman, said on Saturday that Gabriel Canizares’ body was found in Sitio Kanjalah in Barangay Maligay, Patikul, Sulu and was brought to the Scene of the Crime Operatives office of the Sulu Provincial Police. Almost a month after his abduction last October 18, the 39-year-old Canizares, principal of Kanague Elementary School in Patikul, was killed by the suspected bandits who placed the victim’s head in a sack. Authorities recovered the severed head last November 9 near a gasoline station in Jolo town.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Malacañang admitted that it was embarrassed by the abduction and beheading of Canizares that took place days before US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to the Philippines. Police on Wednesday filed criminal charges against Abu Sayyaf members in connection with the abduction and beheading of Canizares. PNP chief, Director General Jesus Verzosa, said charges of kidnapping for ransom were filed before the Sulu prosecutor's office. Named respondents were Basarun Aruk, Edimar Isnain, and Abdulatip Jalmaani, among others. It was not clear why the police did not file murder charges instead. - GMANews.TV