MANILA - The body of a woman believed to be the partner of a German man allegedly abducted by bandit group Abu Sayyaf has been found off Laparan Island, Pangutaran, Sulu, the military said.

The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said the body of the woman, believed to be in her 50s, was found by residents in a yacht which had the markings “Rock All” off Laparan Island at around 6 a.m. on Sunday.

The slain woman was found naked and had several contusions on the face and gunshot wounds. A shotgun was also recovered beside her body.

Authorities will conduct an autopsy to check if the woman was raped.

The body was discovered after Abu Sayyaf self-proclaimed spokesperson Muamar Askali, alias Abu Rami, claimed that the group had abducted German national Juegen Kantner.

The military said the Abu Sayyaf claimed to have abducted the 70-year-old Kantner from a yacht off the waters of Tanjong Luuk Pisuk, Sabah.

In a newspaper interview, Askali said the German’s female companion was shot dead by Abu Sayyaf men after she tried to shoot them.

The Westmincom said it is now validating reports that the cadaver in the yacht belonged to Kantner’s companion, identified as Sabina Wetch.

“The Philippine National Police – Scene of the Crime Operatives will conduct an autopsy to validate this possibility,” the Westmincom said.

“Intel monitoring and investigations are currently being conducted as of this moment.”