The Philippine government is deeply saddened but resolved as ever to respond to the recent discovery of the body of Mr. Jurgen Kantner, a German national, in the interiors of Talibang, Barangay Buanza, Indanan, Sulu.

Mr. Kantner’s remains were discovered yesterday by Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 under the Joint Task Force Sulu, according to a report by Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo, Chief of AFP Public Affairs Office.

President Duterte has declared time and again that terrorism is the twin scourge of narco-politics, and that this government will leave no stone unturned in squarely addressing the evils of extremism and plain banditry.

We reiterate our sincere sympathies to the family of Mr. Kantner, as well as to the rest of the German people, for this modern-day cruelty. Rest assured these mindless acts will not go unpunished.