(Eagle News)– Malacañan clarified on Friday that the ransom paid in exchange for freedom of Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkingstad to Abu Sayyaf Group was not from the government.
“I am not privy to that but I think it was also raised by third parties … Not from the government. Ransom not from the government,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella explained after President Rodrigo Duterte revealed the transaction on Thursday.
“If that’s the one [Sekkingstad], then I will accuse the ASG of utter bad faith, binayaran na sila,” Duterte stressed.
Abella however noted that the government has a no ransom policy and don’t even encourage to give payment.
“If they make negotiations, that is their negotiations,” Abella added.
According to Abella, the government and its troops are also working for the release of the hostage.
