Freed Norwegian hostage to be presented to PRRD

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 17): Freed Norwegian hostage to be presented to PRRD

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza will present freed Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad to President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday.

Dureza said Sekkingstad was released by his captors around 2 p.m Saturday somewhere in Patikul, Sulu.

Dureza, who will fly out Sekkingtad from Sulu to Davao confirmed, Sekkingstad is now staying overnight at the place of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari in Barangay Kagay.

Misuari volunteered to host Sekkingstad stay due to heavy rains and nightfall.

According to Dureza, the men of Misuari and former Sulu Governor Sakur Tan and other volunteers helped in the release of Sekkingstad, who was schedule to fly out

 Saturday following his releaae.

"I will fly him out of Jolo town tomorrow morning," Dureza said, adding that the victim's first words when he spoke to him on the phone was "Thank you to President Duterte."


According Dureza, Sekkingstad release from captivity capped months of quiet, patient but determined efforts with the assistance of all sectors. 


He was taken hostage by armed men in a Samal resort in Davao on Sept. 21, 2015, together with John Ridsdel, Robert Hall, who were both beheaded, and Filipina Maritess Flor whom was also recovered 3 months ago.

The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) freed Sekkingstad, the last of the four hostages from Samal in Davao del Norte.

Last month following the beheading of a hostage minor, the President said the ASG could not kill Sekkingstad because Php50 million was paid for his "board and lodging".

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=0&sid=&nid=0&rid=923941