UPDATE - Norwegian freed after ransom paid: Philippines police

UPDATES THROUGHOUT

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 last year 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 officer based in Zamboanga City told Anadolu Agency that a commander of the Moro National Liberation Front rebel group facilitated the release of Sekkingstad, who was brought to the residence of Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer had earlier reported Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Ramie as saying that Sekkingstad was readied for release, with the group awaiting the delivery of a 30 million peso (more than $627,000) ransom.

In August, President Rodrigo Duterte said 50 million pesos (more than $1 million) had already been paid for his release.

Since 1991, the Abu Sayyaf -- armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles -- has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortion in a self-determined fight for an independent province in the Philippines.

It is one of two militant groups in the south to have pledged allegiance to Daesh, prompting fears during the stalling of a peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that it could make inroads in a region torn by decades of armed conflict.