The 59-year-old birdwatcher from the Netherlands was killed when an Army team clashed with about 30 of Horn’s Abu Sayyaf captors last Friday in Patikul, Sulu. Vinciguerra managed to escape during a military operation against the bandits on Dec. 6, 2014. Several presidents have promised to “crush” the Abu Sayyaf. Abu Sayyaf activities can hold back gains in the peace process with Islamic separatists and derail development efforts in the newly created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The wounding of more soldiers and the death of Horn should strengthen the resolve of security forces to put a decisive end to this scourge.

Source: Philippine Star June 03, 2019 16:00 UTC