Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad was released nearly five days before spending a year in captivity.
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Philippines-based terrorist group Abu Sayyaf said on Saturday, 17 September, that it has freed Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad.
Earlier this week, three fishermen were kidnapped by suspected seven-member Filipino armed group off Sabah’s east coast and were taken to the Abu Sayyaf hideout in southern Philippines.
It said Mr Kjartan Sekkingstad, 57, was released in Indanan town in Sulu province, 1,400km south of the capital Manila, after the Abu Sayyaf, a group with ties to the Islamist State of Iraq and Syria, received 30 million pesos (S$858,000) in ransom.
Sekkingstad was abducted along with Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, and Filipina Marites Flor last September 21, 2015 in Samal Island resort off Davao province.
The Abu Sayyaf group released its last Samal captive on Friday night after alleged payment of P30-million ransom in Sulu, authorities said.
His captors freed him after reportedly receiving a ransom of P30 million ($627,228).
Sekkingstad was brought to the house of Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, the source said, while there was a brownout in the area.
Mr Hall was executed in June, while Mr Ridsdel was beheaded in April. The Canadian government is observing a no-ransom policy.
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On June 25, Norwegian Ambassador Erik Forner went to see President Duterte during the release of kidnap victim Flor. The two leaders talked about negotiating for the release of Sekkingstad.
