Dureza: Abu Sayyaf member reached out, wants to talk about Norwegian captive

From GMA News (Jul 3): Dureza: Abu Sayyaf member reached out, wants to talk about Norwegian captive

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza on Sunday announced that an alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was reaching out to him and wanted to talk about Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad.

"I got word from someone in Zamboanga City this morning that one Abu Rami allegedly from ASG wanted to talk to me directly about the remaining Norwegian hostage," Dureza said in a statement.

He said the alleged ASG identified himself as a certain Abu Rami.

"I told the person that I was ready and willing to talk with anyone for the release of the hostages and save lives provided that it would not be about ransom," he said.

He said that he was waiting for the ASG member to contact him in a secured line.

"I am still waiting [for the call]," Dureza said in the statement posted by PTV-4 on its Facebook account around 5 p.m.

Sekkingstad is the remaining Samal Island kidnap victims in the hands of the ASG.

He was kidnapped along with Canadians John Ridsdel, Robert Hall and Filipina Marites Flor in September 2015.

The bandits have beheaded the two Canadian hostages while Flor was released last June 24. The bandits recently abducted seven Indonesian crewmen in Sulu Sea.

It is also believed to be holding at least five locals.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/572250/news/nation/dureza-abu-sayyaf-member-reached-out-wants-to-talk-about-norwegian-captive