PUTRAJAYA : The Philippine authorities have verbally confirmed that a human head found in Southern Philippines belonged to Malaysian hostage Bernard Then, based on DNA tests, said Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
"We have yet to receive a formal letter from our counterpart in the Philippine, but they have verbally informed us that the DNA test confirmed that the head was that of Bernard.
"We will work with the Philippine authorities to bring the deceased to Malaysia. I would also like extend my condolences to Then's family members." he told reporters after receiving an honorary doctorate from LimKokWing University in conjunction with the university's convocation ceremony at Putrajaya International Convention Centre, here, today.
Then, an electrical engineer from Sarawak, was held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf terror group and was killed in the southern Philippines on Nov 17.
The 39-year-old was beheaded by the gunmen in the island of Jolo.
Brigadier-General Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu, had initially confirmed that Then was decapitated.
Malaysian authorities then submitted a DNA sample of Then to their counterparts in the Philippines to match the identity of a headless body found later.