I received a report yesterday from intelligence sources that the last of four Abu Sayyaf hostages who was abducted September last year at Oceanview Marina in Samal Island, Davao City had been released yesterday morning.
According to my source, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad was released at three o’clock a.m. on Saturday, September 17, in Sulu by his ASG captors, thru negotiations with ASG negotiator Abdulsalam Adjul alias Rambo, “thru the facilitation of MNLF and Sulu Gov.”
The same report says that Sekkingstad, like Marites Flor, was brought to Asturias, Jolo and is now at the residence of Sulu Governor Abdusakur “Toto” Tan.
While Alias Rambo would like to make it appear that the kidnap victim was able to escape because of focused military operations in the area, the report claims that P30-million in ransom money was paid for the release of Sekkingstad.
Accordingly, the ASG has utilized fifty percent (50%) of the money to procure 50 sacks of ammonium nitrate in Patah and Pangutaran areas for use in making Improvised Explosive Devices and in recruiting young members, and to stock up on ammunition at their arsenals in Mainland Mindanao.
Sekkingstad was abducted along with Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, who were both beheaded, and Marites Flor who was released by her captors on June 24 by dropping her off at the Sulu Governor’s house.
Marites Flor was released after negotiations with representatives of the then incoming President Rodrigo Duterte. The ASG, through its spokesperson Abu Rami, said it would only negotiate with President Duterte. The latter assigned Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza who also negotiated for the release of Sekkingstad which this did not happen, accordingly due to some problems.
The problem could be the insistence of the Abu Sayyaf for a ransom in exchange of the release of Sekkingstad. The government maintains a no-ransom policy.
A military official in Sulu with whom I communicated said he had heard of the rumors.
But latest reports confirmed that indeed the victim has been released. BEEN THERE DONE THAT/JOSEPHINE CODILLA
