Philippines confirmed severed head to be that of Bernard Then

PUTRAJAYA - The DNA of a severed head found by the Philippines authorities have been confirmed to be that of Bernard Then Ted Fen (pix), who was abducted by four armed men in Sandakan, Sabah in May.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the decision on the DNA sample match was made after receiving verification reports from the Philippine authorities.

"The information on the DNA match is verified through verbal conversation with our counterparts ... I would like to express my sincere condolences to Then's family.

"We will bring those responsible for Then's killing to face justice," Khalid told reporters in a press conference after receiving the Conferment of Honorary Doctorate in Leadership here today.

He said the police are also working closely with the Attorney-General Chambers in extraditing the culprits behind the killing.

It had been reported that Then, 39, was beheaded in a remote location considered to be a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Philippines.

Then, an engineer from Sarawak, was abducted by a group of armed men at a seafood restaurant in Sandakan on May 14, along with the restaurant manager Thein Nyuk Fun, 50.