Philippine gov't admits embarrassment over beheading

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's spokesperson admitted on Tuesday that the beheading of a school principal in Southern Philippines a few days before the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has become a source of embarrassment for the government.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Golez said in a news briefing that the government is more inclined to believe that the Abu Sayyaf had executed the gruesome act in retaliation for the "gains" of the government campaign against terrorists, and not because of Clinton's scheduled visit on Nov. 12 and 13.

Asked whether the beheading of Gabriel Canizares is a source of embarrassment for the government, Golez said: "In a way, we cannot say that we are not embarrassed by that incident."

He stressed, however, that the government sees the act as "more of a retaliatory move because of the success or gains achieved by the military and police" against the Abu Sayyaf and "not because of any personalities coming over."

The Abu Sayyaf abducted Canizares on Oct. 19 in Patikul, Sulu, on his way home from the Kanage Elementary School, and executed him later, allegedly after non-payment of ransom demand.

Source: Xinhua