JOLO, Sulu (November 9, 2009) - Suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group beheaded Monday an elementary school principal after his family failed to pay the ransom demanded for his safe release.

The suspects dumped the head of Gabriel Canizares, 36, principal of Kanague Elementary School in at the terminal of Patikul jitneys in this town. Locals confirmed that the head was that of Canizares.

Canizares was kidnapped by 12 heavily armed Abu Sayyaf bandits, at around 4:20 p.m. October 18 Monday in Barangay Tanum, Patikul town.

Patikul is said to be the lair of one-armed bandit leader Radulan Sahiron, the oldest remaining leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group operating in Sulu.

Canizares was aboard a passenger jeep from Patikul together with other teachers on the way to Jolo, the province capital town, when seized by the ASG.