The Philippine armed forces conceded for the first time on Monday that American Guillermo Sobero may be dead as claimed by Muslim Abu Sayyaf gunmen, but said there was no independent confirmation.
"We have strong reasons to believe the statements of Mr. (Francis) Ganzon that Mr. Sobero is dead," armed forces spokesman Brigadier General Edilberto Adan told a news conference, as the United States said it was "gravely concerned."
Ganzon, one of three hostages released by the rebels on southern Basilan island at the weekend, told a debriefing that the last time he saw Sobero alive was the night of Monday, June 11 when the Californian was tied up and led away from the group, Adan said.
Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya later told the captives Sobero had been killed, and on Tuesday morning he rang a radio station to say the American had been beheaded.
Adan said the US embassy had been informed of Ganzon's statement, although he stressed there remained no confirmation of Sobero's death – MANILA (AFP)
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