The massive military operations against the terrorist Abu
Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the hinterlands of Sulu have resulted in the release of
Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad from his captors, the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) said.
AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said the
military continues to verify claims that ransom has been paid to secure
Sekkingstad's release.
"We don't have that information, although we can also
validate that on the ground," Arevalo said.
Arevalo said the massive military operations against the
terrorists has something to do with the release of the Norwegian captive.
"(The) unrelenting conduct of operations (against) the
ASG (may have contributed heavily to Sekkingstad's release). Remember that we
have sea, air and land operations being conducted against them and after
several contacts against them, we have received reports that they have
splintered into smaller group to evade pursuit operations against them,"
Arevalo added in Filipino.
"And if you have kidnap victims, they would definitely
retard the ASG's movement and take a toll on their attempt to evade our
soldiers," he stressed.
Sekkingstand was freed in Sulu around 4 p.m. Saturday. He
was abducted together with Canadians John Ridsdel, Robert Hall and Filipina
Marites Flor on Sept. 21, 2015 at the Ocean View Resort in Samal Island
Both Hall and Ridsdel were beheaded by the bandits while
Flor was freed by the ASG last June 22.
The unrelenting military pressure against the bandits also
prompted the terrorists to release three of their Indonesian captives Saturday
night.
These men were identified as fishermen Lorence Koten, Teo
Doros Kofong and Emmanuel Arakian.
They were released in an unspecified location, according to
Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Filemon Tan. All three were
abducted off Lahad Datu, Sabah ,
Malaysia
The victims were brought to Camp Teodulfo
Bautista Station
Hospital
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