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Philippine militant group Abu Sayyaf releases Norwegian hostage
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In this Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016 photo released by Presidential Photographers Division, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, right, salutes the portrait of one of 15 soldiers killed in Monday's gunbattle with Muslim Abu Sayyaf militants during his visit to Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga city in southern Philippines. Abu Sayyaf extremists killed 15 Philippine Army soldiers in fierce fighting Monday in the country's restive southern island of Jolo, dealing the government its largest single-day combat loss under President Duterte, who ordered the militants to be crushed for their brutality. (Presidential Photographers Division via AP)/Rey Baniquet)
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slamist militant group Abu Sayyaf spokesperson Abu Ramie said Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkingstad had been freed and handed over to a Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) commander in Barangay (village) Bud Pula in the Patikul town on Saturday.
He said Sekkingstad was released around 3.30 pm to MNLF commander Tahil Sali.
Earlier, Ramie said they readied Sekkingstad for release since Friday night.
Ramie said they were just waiting for the delivery of the 30 million Philippine peso ($672,228) ransom in exchange for Sekkingstad’s freedom.
Sekkingstad was one of the four people the Abu Sayyaf abducted from a marina on Samal Island in Davao del Norte. Two of his companions, Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall were beheaded separately.
Hall’s Filipino girlfriend, Marites Flor was also freed in June. Last month, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said 50 million Philippine peso ($1.04 million) had already been paid for the Norwegian’s release but the Abu Sayyaf held on to him.
