Abus also free 3 Indonesians

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Terrorist group Abu Sayyaf released Saturday night three Indonesian fishermen in an undisclosed village in Sulu province, hours after freeing a Norwegian hostage from a year-long captivity.

The three freed Indonesians were identified as Lorence Koten, 34; Toe Doros Kofong, 42, and Emmanuel Araklan, 40.

They were kidnapped last July 9 from Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia, according to Major Filemon Tan, spokesman for the military’s Western Mindanao Command.

Tan said they were brought to Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for medical examination and debriefing.

Tan said the freed Indonesian fishermen were set to meet President Duterte in Davao City last night, together with released Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad.

Tan said Sekkingstad and the three Indonesians were flown separately yesterday afternoon from Jolo, Sulu.

He said Sekkingstad was escorted by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza to Davao City, while the three Indonesian fishermen were escorted by Joint Task Force Sulu commander Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega to Zamboanga City.

Dela Vega turned over the custody of the rescued fishermen to Indonesian authorities, Tan said.

Ransom paid?

Meanwhile, a separate security source, who asked not to be named as he is not authorized to speak but is privy to the ongoing operation, disclosed that the release “was a result of payment of unspecified amount of ransom.”

Military officials could not confirm this.

“There was no immediate detail as to the circumstances of their release, except that they were reportedly freed by their Abu Sayyaf captors,” Tan said.

Tan said five more other Indonesian tugboat crews are still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.

According to Tan, the release of the Indonesian hostages was an offshoot of ongoing military operations to sustain pressure against the Abu Sayyaf, as directed by the President.

“Simultaneous land, air, naval, and police operations complemented each other, putting pressure on the ASG,” he claimed.

Tan said elements of the Naval Commander Amphibious Task Group 80.2 conducted amphibious raids in the islands of Pata and Kalinggalang Caluang in Sulu and confiscated 15 unregistered motorized boats.

Tan said one of the 15 confiscated boats was believed to be used by bandit leader Alhabsy Misaya, who is responsible for kidnapping Indonesian and Malaysian tugboat crews in the high seas these past months.

The boats were turned over to the Maritime Industry Authority in Sulu.

Authorities said the three Indonesians were turned over by Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari to Dureza and former vice governor Saku Tan at around 1:30 p.m. last Saturday in Barangay Kagay, Indanan, Sulu.