This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on January 19, 2016.

PETALING JAYA: The family of Sarawakian Bernard Then, who was beheaded by Abu Sayyaf militants in southern Philippines last November, said the government should look after the safety of the nation and its citizens.

In the eulogy for Bernard at a funeral mass at a church here yesterday, his older brother Gerald said the family had lived on the edge during the 188 days he was held hostage.

“We pray that the government will live up to its responsibility to take the safety of our nation seriously,” he said.

“It is not easy to forgive, but we are called to be merciful as God is merciful,” Gerald said.

“We also hope God shows mercy to his perpetrators and those responsible for Bernard’s suffering.”

He also said the family hopes no one else would have to suffer like Bernard did, or have to bear the heartache of the family.

Mass celebrant Father Alberto Irenus said in his sermon that even as Bernard’s family grieved, they found in their hearts the need to give to charity by donating to a church in Manila, Philippines.

Federal lawmaker Steven Sim, who was among several members of parliament present at the church, said: “Bernard paid a heavy price, too big to bear.”

Friends of the Then family who attended the funeral were sombre, with Michael FG saying: “What happened was unnecessary, but at least there’s closure.” — The Malaysian Insider