MANILA: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said Wednesday that a man held for months by militants in the southern Philippines had been murdered, condemning what he called a “savage and barbaric” act.

Najib’s comments came after the Philippine military said it was working to verify reports that Malaysian national Bernard Then had been beheaded by the militant group Abu Sayyaf, which is known for its kidnappings for ransom.

“I, the government, and all Malaysians are shocked and sickened by the murder of our countryman Bernard Then, and we condemn it in its strongest terms,” Najib said in a statement on his Facebook page. Najib, now in Manila for an Asia-Pacific summit, called for “action against those who have perpetrated this savage and barbaric act and ensure that they are brought to justice.”

Then, a 39-year-old engineer, was abducted in May from a seaside restaurant in Malaysia’s Sabah state, across from the southern Philippines. A Malaysian woman, Thien Nyuk Fun, was seized along with him.

They were taken by boat to the strife-torn southern Philippine island of Jolo. Thien was released last week following negotiations. A ransom was reportedly paid.

Philippine military spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said Then was killed after ransom talks collapsed.

“The (military) and (police) headquarters have indeed received news about the inhuman, barbaric and brutal incident in the island of Jolo,” he said, referring to the apparent beheading.