(Eagle News)– Aside from Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and three Indonesians, the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) on Sunday (September 18) released two Filipino hostages they kidnapped last August 6.
Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Western Mindanao Command Spokesperson Major Felimon Tan said that Daniela Taruc and Levy Gonzales were released by ASG in Barangay Tiptipon, Sulu at 10:30 p.m.
The two hostages were recovered by a concerned citizen.
They were brought to the headquarters of the Joint Task Force in Sulu to undergo medical check-up before being turned over to authorities.
The victims were employees of a telecom company and Power City Corp.
According to AFP Spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla, the ASG is still holding 11 foreigners and three Filipinos.
Padilla said the release of the hostages was the result of the military’s continuous strikes against the bandit group.
“Nanniwala kami na ang pagpapalaya kay Sekkingstad ay dahil sa patuloy na pressure na nararamdaman ng Abu Sayyaf ay dahil sa patuloy at walang humpay na military operations,” Padilla said.
