For as long as in the early 2000s, the Abu Sayyaf, which was founded in the early 1990s with seed money from Al–Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, was internationally infamous for kidnapping dozens of foreign tourists for ransom. They were condemned for the Philippines’ worst terrorist attacks including the bombing of a ferry off Manila Bay back in 2004 that killed more than 100 people.
The group are considered to have a few hundred gunmen, but thrive in the lawless sections of the southern Philippines where Muslim rebels have fought for independence for decades. And just last year (2015), they had captured 4 people from yachts at a marina in Samal Island in Mindanao on September 21, which consists of: Canadian Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian Sekkingstad and fellow Filipino Flor.
President–elect Rodrigo Roa Duterte has revealed on Friday that he negotiated the release of Abu Sayyaf hostage, Filipina Marites Flor. Though he also negotiated for the release of another Abu Sayyaf hostage, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, it did not push through because of some problems.
The president-to-be said, “Kidnapping must stop because it has given us a very bad image.” As the Incoming presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza described Flor’s release as an “act of goodwill” from the Abu Sayyaf.
Dureza said that Flor will return to her hometown in Valencia, Bukidnon.
Flor’s release came from more than 10 days after her partner, Canadian Robert Hall was beheaded after a P300 million ransom for his release was not paid. The Abu Sayyaf also killed Canadian John Ridsel, who is a former mining executive in April.
On the other hand, Dureza also stated that the release of the Norwegian is still being worked out.
Source: ABS-CBN
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