A COUPLE was beheaded by a suspected member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the province of Basilan, a top police official said Friday, January 5.

The victims were identified as Abdurahim Kitoh and his wife, Nadzwa Bahitla, whose decapitated bodies were found hours apart, said Basilan Police Director Nickson Muksan.

He said the remains of Nadzwa were found by militiaman Ibrahim Wahab around 4:30 p.m. Thursday in Sitio Diangan, Barangay Mahatalang, Sumisip.

Wahab spotted Nadzwa's remains while verifying who fired guns in the vicinity of Ismael Elementary School at Sitio Diangan, he added.

Muksan said the remains of Abdurahim were also recovered near the school around 7 p.m. Thursday, January 4.

Investigation showed that the suspect behind the couple’s beheading was Mahim Mustalim, an ASG member and half-brother of Abdurahim.

Mustalim belongs to the group of Usop Sandalan, a sub-leader of Rhadsmil Janatul, the Basilan-based ASG leader, said Muksan. (SunStar Philippines)