PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte vowed to give “raw justice” to Kjartan Sekkingstad, the Norwegian kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf terrorists along with three others from a resort in the Island Garden City of Samal almost a year ago.
“I will say this now, your travails in life are over. You want raw justice, then we will give it. If that is what you want,” Duterte told Sekkingtad when the latter was presented to him at the Matina Enclaves Sunday evening, November 18.
The President did not quantify nor qualify what he means by raw justice.
“There are simply too many gangsters and terrorists. Simply too many battles and I assure you, when the time comes, I will inform you that we have been able to catch up with them.”
Duterte also mentioned that the safe release of Sekkingstad is a fulfillment of his promise to the Norwegian Government to return him alive.
Last month, Norway became the third party facilitator in the peace negotiation between the Philippine Government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army, which elicited a positive outcome.
"The best thing that happened to us this week is really the release of Kjartan because we were able to complete our promise to Norway which is giving us the good offices for space to talk vis-a-vis with the Communist Party of the Philippines," Duterte said referring to the resumption of peace talks last August 20.
Duterte credited the effort of Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza and Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari who assured him of a safe release.
He also thanked former Sulu governor Abdusakur "Sakur" Mahail Tan, who played a vital role in the process.
The President said he believed Sekkingstad's release was a step towards combating terrorism in the country and establishing law and order.
Sekkingstad, meanwhile, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Duterte, the Norwegian Government, and the people who became instrumental to his release.
“I am very happy to be alive and free, it’s a beautiful feeling," Sekkingstad said.
Sekkingstad was freed around 4 p.m., Saturday. He was among the four victims abducted by Abu Sayyaf from the posh Holiday Ocean View resort last September 21, 2015 and later taken by their captors to Sulu.
The terrorist group beheaded two of the hostages, Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, in April and June, respectively, for failure of authorities and their families to pay ransom while the third captive, Filipina Marites Flor was released last June.
At the time Flor was released, it was rumored that it was Sekkingstad who was to be released.
Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Erik Forner on one hand also thanked Duterte for his “outstanding help” to ensure the safe release of Sekkingstad.
“The President’s personal commitment even before he took office has been crucial to solve this issue,” Forner said.
On Sunday, September 18, Sulu Philippine National Police said Indonesian hostages of the terrorist group have also been released.
The captive was turned over by Misuari to Secretary Dureza and former Sulu Vice Governor Abdusakur Tan in Barangay Kagay, Indanan, Sulu.
Amid reports circulating that there has been ransom intervention provided by the government of both countries, authorities said their relentless effort and focused military operation were one of the factors that pressured the terrorist group to surrender the captives.
The Norwegian and Philippine Governments have earlier denied that a ransom was paid for Sekkingstad’s freedom.