Dureza willing to talk with ASG for release of Norwegian hostage

From ABS-CBN (Jul 3): Dureza willing to talk with ASG for release of Norwegian hostage



Incoming Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza speaks with Abu Sayyaf hostage Marites Flor, hours after her release on June 24, 2016. Jess Dureza Facebook page

Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza on Sunday said he is willing to talk with the Abu Sayyaf Group for the release of the bandit group's Norwegian hostage.

Peace adviser Jesus Dureza said he has told Abu Sayyaf's Muammar Askali alias Abu Rami that he is ready to talk with anyone from the group for the release of 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.

"I gave him a secure phone number for him (Askali) to contact me. I am still waiting."

Dureza, however, said he would only talk with the ASG "provided that it would not be about ransom."

The Philippine Star reported onSaturday that Askali said the group would be forced to execute Sekkingstad if they do not hear from the government starting Friday until Saturday next week.

The group is demanding P300 million for Sekkingstad's release.

His fellow captives, Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel, were earlier beheaded by the group. The group's Filipina hostage, Marites Flor, has been released.

(READ: We were treated like dogs, says freed Abu Sayyaf hostage)

The four were abducted from a posh resort in Samal Island in September 2015.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/07/03/16/dureza-willing-to-talk-with-asg-for-release-of-norwegian-hostage