Norwegian freed after ransom paid: Philippines police

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines (AA) – A Norwegian held hostage by a Daesh-linked militant group in the southern Philippines has been released following the payment of a ransom.

A police intelligence officer told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity Saturday as he was not authorized to speak with media that Kjartan Sekkingstad was freed Friday night in Indanan town in the troubled island province of Sulu.

Sekkingstad was kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf from a resort on the island of Samal in September alongside two Canadians and a Filipina.

The Canadians were beheaded earlier this year and the Filipina released after the reported payment of a ransom.

The reported release of Sekkingstad has not yet been confirmed by the Philippines' military, with its Joint Task Force Sulu telling local station RMN Radio that they were still verifying the development.