Three Indonesian nationals who were taken hostage by Abu Sayyaf militants were released in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday, a day after the extremist group released a Norwegian captive.
The Indonesian hostages were freed at around 1 a.m., following negotiations led by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Nur Misuari.
Misuari also helped secure Saturday’s release of Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkingstad, the last of four hostages who were taken by Abu Sayyaf bandits from a luxury resort on Samal Island last year.
Sekkingstad and the three Indonesians were set to meet Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza at the Jolo Airport on Sunday morning.
From there, a government chopper will transfer the Indonesians to Zamboanga City while Sekkingstad will be flown to Davao City.
Retired General Kivlan Zen of the Indonesian military will take custody of the three Indonesians.
The Abu Sayyaf, a ragtag group of several hundred gunmen, is notorious for ransoming off foreigners. It has also claimed responsibility for the worst terrorist attacks in the country including the firebombing of a ferry off Manila Bay in 2004 that left over 100 people killed. ABS-CBN News
