“These efforts were a convergence of cooperation upon the direction of Presdient Duterte involving the MNLF, the provincial government, the stakeholders and the AFP with tis ongoing military operations in the area against the Abu Sayyaf Group,” the peace adviser said.
The Abu Sayyaf freed Sekkingstad in Patikul, Sulu last September 17, or almost a year after he was abducted on September 21, 2015 at the Holiday Ocean View Resort in Island Garden City of Samal, along with Canadian nationals John Ridsdel, 68 and Robert Hall, 50, and Hall’s Filipina partner, Marites Flor, 38.
A day after the Sekkingstad’s release, the Abu Sayyaf also freed three Indonesian captives who were immediately turned over to the Indonesia Embassy.
Seekingstad stayed overnight at Misuari’s camp in Barangay Kagay due to heavy downpour.
“I am happy to be alive and free.
It’s a beautiful feeling,” Sekkingstad said when he was presented to President Duterte at the Matina Enclaves in Davao City evening of September 18.
Ridsdel was beheaded by the terrorist group last April 25 while Flor’s partner, Hall, suffered the same fate on June 13 for failing to pay ransom. Flor was freed on June 24. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
