MANILA (Updated) -- Abu Sayyaf bandits in the Philippines have released a video of the beheading of a German hostage.
The brief video circulated Monday by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi websites, is the first sign that the brutal bandits proceeded with their threat to kill Jurgen Gustav Kantner in Mindanao after a Sunday ransom deadline lapsed.
The video shows Kantner sitting in a grassy clearing and saying "Now he kill me" shortly before a masked bandit beheads him with a curved knife.
A few gunmen mutter "Allahu Akbar," or God is great.
The Philippine government condemned the beheading of the German captive.
In a statement, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Jesus Dureza said the Duterte administration expressed its condolences and sympathies to Kantner's family and loved ones.
"We grieve as we strongly condemn the barbaric beheading of yet another kidnap victim, German Juergen Gustav Kantner in Sulu... We all tried our best. But to no avail," Dureza said.
Dureza said the government, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, exhausted all efforts and continually contacted German authorities to save the life of Kantner.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits gave the government an ultimatum to give the ransom until February 26. Palace, however maintained its no-ransom policy. (AP/Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines)