Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza has dispatched emissaries to negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf Group for the safe release of their remaining hostages but ruled out discussions on ransom, Malacañang said on Sunday as the terrorist group threatened to behead another foreign captive if the government refuses to talk with them.
“Secretary Dureza has sent people to negotiate with the Abu Sayyaf for the safe release of the hostages,” Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar said in an interview with state-run dzRB.
“Of course, this would be continuing until the last of the hostages are released,” Andanar added.
Dureza said he is ready to dialog with the ASG to save Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkingstad and the Indonesian seafarers.
“I have relayed to them my openness to talk to them in the effort to save the life of the Norwegian. We will try to work for the release of all if possible. But we will not entertain talks on ransom,” Dureza said.
“A certain Abu Rami sent word thru someone in Zamboanga that he wanted to talk to me. I was able to talk this morning with the go-between person and told her I was willing to receive his phone call anytime but made it clear that discussing ransom is out of the question. She told me he wanted to take up other matters. I agreed,” Dureza added.
Abu Rami, the self-proclaimed spokesman of the bandits, aired the group’s request to talk to Dureza during a radio interview in Zamboanga City on Friday.
Rami said they are “waiting for some individuals or group of individuals” within the week “to negotiate” with them for the release of Sekkingstad.
Rami also allowed Sekkingstad to talk on radio and air his plea to both the Philippine and Norwegian governments.
“I strongly appeal and ask for help from the Philippine government and from the Norwegian government, for as you know the amount they are asking is more than the amount my family can manage to established,” the Norwegian hostage said.
“I hope someone can help me get out and get my freedom back. They are demanding P300 million for my release. I would like to appeal to the Norwegian government and also to the Filipino government, the new president Mr. Duterte. Please help me get out of here because its very dangerous in here to stay,” added Sekkingstad, who has been held in captivity for nine months now.
The Abu Sayyaf sent a text message to a staff of the Zamboanga City-based radio station and said that they will no longer issue an ultimatum and will instead behead the Norwegian hostage immediately if they do not get in touch with negotiators from the government.
The ASG earlier released their Filipina captive, Marites Flor, on June 23 in Sulu province as a show of goodwill to Duterte.
Flor and Sekkingstad were among four hostages taken by the ASG from Samal Island last year. The two Canadian hostages were beheaded a month apart.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian military (TNI) has received President Joko Widodo’s green light to mount a rescue operation if efforts to free the Indonesian hostages fail.
Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said he has Widodo’s permission for a “military option.”