Abu Sayyaf militants behead kidnap victim

MANILA, Philippines, May 19 (UPI) -- Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants in the Philippines beheaded a farm owner they had kidnapped earlier because their ransom demand was not met, police said.

The incident occurred near Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, the Manila Times reported.

The severed head of Doroteo Gonzales, 61, was recovered late Sunday in the village of Mangalot in Basilan province, police said, adding his body has yet to be found.

Abu Sayyaf is one of the groups fighting for a separate Islamic state on Mindanao in southern Philippines.

The Manila Times reported Gonzales was abducted last month from his home in the village of Buenavista and brought to Basilan by his captors.

The Philippine military said three people have been arrested as suspects in the slaying, the report said. They were identified as members of Abu Sayyaf.

Police said Gonzales' captors demanded a ransom of more than $520,000, warning his family he would be killed if the money was not paid.