A day after Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) released unhurt Norwegian
Kjartan Sekkingstad in Jolo, Sulu, a Palace official said on Sunday that
military troops have recovered another hostages.
”I believe, the new development was that there were other
hostages recovered by our government troops aside from the Norwegian,”
Presidential Communications Operations (PCO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on
Sunday in an interview with state-run Radyo ng Bayan.
Andanar said Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Secretary Jesus Dureza will give the additional information about other
hostages recovered by the military troops.
”I still have no other development. Let’s wait for the word
from Secretary Dureza,” Andanar said.
On Saturday, the ASG bandits freed Sekkingstad almost one
year after he and three others – Canadians John Ridsdell, Robert Hall and
Filipina Marites Flor, were abducted at Ocean View Resort in Samal Island
in Davao
The two Canadians were beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf bandits
while Flor was set free last July.
Amid reports that the ASG has been paid PHP50 million for
the release of the Norwegian hostage, Andanar said the government maintains a
'no ransom policy'.
”I repeat, we have no that kind of policy. The government
maintain a no ransom policy. If there is a family member or a third party who
paid, we have no information, but as far as the gov’t is concern, we maintain a
no ransom policy,” Andanar explained.
Andanar said the Norwegian thanked President Rodrigo
Duterte.
According to Dureza, Sekkingstad was released by his captors
at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday somewhere in Patikul, Sulu.
Dureza said the Norwegian stayed overnight at the place of
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari who volunteered to
host Sekkingstad’ stay due to heavy rains and nightfall.
He said the men of Misuari and former Sulu Govenor Sakur Tan
and other volunteers helped in the release of Sekkinstad.
Andanar said the release of Norwegian would not mean that
the government will stop its massive military operations against the Abu Sayyaf
terrorists.
”It’s (the release of Norwegian) is a good development and
the government’s war against terrorism will continue,” he said.
The Norwegian is set to be presented by Dureza to President
Duterte on Sunday.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=923975
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