After a year of nightmare in the hands of terrorists Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), Norweigian Kjartan Sekkingstad finally flew back home.
Sekkingstad was freed on September 16 after the ransom was paid. He was abducted in Samal Island in Davao Del Norte in September 2015.
Sekkingstad boarded a commercial flight of Thai Airways that departed Manila at 1:10 p.m. He was sent off by the Norweigian Embassy officials at the dignitaries lounge of Ninoy Aquino Internatioanl Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.
According to a report by GMA News, Sekkingstad expressed his gratitude toward President Rodrigo Duterte, Peace Process adviser Sec. Jesus Dureza and other personalities who helped in his release.
“Mr. Sekkingstad has undergone medical examinations and has been taken care of both in Manila and Davao. He has also been properly debriefed by relevant authorities in order to provide information that can aid in the rescue of other captives,” Ambassador Erik Forner said.
Aside from Sekkingstad, three more personalities – Marites Flor, John Ridsdel and Robert Hall were also caught by the ASG. Flor was released last June while Ridsdel and Hall were beheaded after the P300 million ransom was not met.
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari assisted in negotiation for the release of Sekkingstad, as well as three Indonesian Nationals who were freed early Sunday.