MANILA, Philippines - Philippine security officials say Abu Sayyaf extremists have beheaded a kidnapped village leader and threatened to kill two other hostages in the country's south if a ransom is not paid.
Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado said Wednesday that the militants identified the slain hostage as Rodolfo Buligao in a note left on his decapitated body, which was found on a roadside in Sulu province's Maimbung town late Tuesday.
Arrojado says the militants led by Abu Sayyaf commander Yassir Igasan have threatened to behead two coast guard personnel kidnapped with Buligao in May.
The Abu Sayyaf, with about 400 gunmen split into factions, is on a U.S. list of terrorist organizations for bombings, kidnappings and beheadings.
