Flor’s release ‘gesture of good will’

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Presidential peace adviser Jess Dureza said the release of Marites Flor Friday morning was a "gesture of good will" from the abductors.

Dureza in a media interview late afternoon Friday at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) explained how they were able to rescue Marites Flor.

"It is actually Sulu Vice Governor Abdusakur Tan who negotiated with the Abu Sayyaf," Dureza stated.

Dureza said he was not able to meet any of the Abu Sayyaf men; it was Tan who only saw them.

"Tan said that the bandits see it as an act of good will. They know that the President-elect Rody Duterte wanted their release badly," Dureza added.

Flor, who graced an interview after Duterte welcomed her, said that they were sleeping in handcuffs and chains on their feet.

"Kanina (early June 24), ginising nila ako, sinabihan nila ako na ihahatid na raw nila ako," she said in between tears as she recalled how her other colleagues were also woken up at dawn to have their heads cut.

She confessed that she was beaten up by the bandits and they were "treated like dogs".

"Maraming beses kaming nagpalipat-lipat, hindi namin alam kung saan. Naglalakad lang kami," she added.

At 12:45 p.m. on June 24, Dureza and Tan left Jolo Airport aboard private plane with Marites Flor for Davao City.

On April 25, Canadian John Ridsdel's head was thrown by the bandits in Jolo town in Sulu while his body was recovered two days after in the same town.

On June 13, Canadian hostage Robert Hall's head was found in front of a cathedral in Jolo, Sulu.

Only Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad was left in the hands of the terror group.

Dureza said that they are working on his release but Flor added that the group is still interested with the P300-million ransom money.

The president-elect said, "there will be a time when I will have to confront the ASG. It is not yet forthcoming. But the kidnappings have to stop."

Duterte set a meeting with the Norwegian ambassadors to discuss plans on rescuing Sekkingstad at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Panacan, Davao City.