The Abu Sayaff who abducted Norwegian national Sekkingstad along with two foreigners and one Filipina a year ago, freed their remaining hostage last Saturday (Sept, 17) around 2 p.m.in Patikul Sulu. They were abducted by armed men off Lahad Datu, Sabah, in July.
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Philippine military officials say a Norwegian hostage has been freed by Abu Sayyaf militants who had beheaded two Canadian captives and freed a Filipino woman kidnapped with him in a southern marina a year ago.
Kjartan Sekkingstad was one of four people seized by the extremists at a resort he ran on Samal Island in the southern Philippines.
Mr. Duterte’s communications secretary, Martin M. Andanar, said in Manila that “the government maintains the no-ransom policy”.
He also said the “relentless and focused military operations” have had a “great impact” on the release of the hostages.
Dureza said that Sekkingstad’s release was a result of “months of quiet, patient, but determined efforts with the assistance of all sectors”.
The two walked free after a Norwegian and three Indonesians were released.
Duterte made the commitment to Førner when they met in Davao City on June 24.
“Everybody who has helped make this release possible, I am very happy to be alive and free”.
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There are now seven Indonesian crew members held hostage by Abu Sayyaf-linked Philippine militants after being kidnapped in the Sulu Sea in July. The US had offered F-16 jets to the Philippines, and had provided two warships, but Duterte said he would rather have smaller planes and bombers to ward off Abu Sayyaf more effectively.
Duterte gave full praise to his Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza, and MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari, for securing the release of Sekkingstad. “I can not tell you now, but we are trying our very best to put order in this country”, Duterte told the media.
The victims – identified as Lorens Koten, Teodurus Kofung and Emmanuel – were released by the Abu Sayyaf on Saturday night at an undisclosed place in Sulu, said Major Filemon Tan, spokesman in the military’s Western Mindanao Command.
“Yes, they were released to the MNLF by the ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group)”, Adju confirmed, referring to the three Indonesians.
Abu Ramie, a spokesman for Abu Sayyaf, told the German Press Agency they had received 30 million pesos (572,000 euros; $638,000) in ransom for Sekkingstad’s release. Without any known foreign funding, the extremists have relied on ransom kidnappings, extortion and other acts of banditry, and some commanders have pledged loyalty to the Islamic State group partly in the hope of obtaining funds.
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The group is blamed for the worst terror attacks in Philippines and the United States has it as a terrorist organization.
