04 July 2016•Update: 04 July 2016
By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines
The last man alive from a group of foreigners kidnapped by a Daesh-linked group has taken to Philippines airwaves to beg for his life.
Kjartan Sekkingstad, one of four people taken from a marina resort in Davao del Norte in November last year, made his plea to DXRZ Radio Mindanao Network station in Zamboanga City on Monday morning, after an Abu Sayyaf spokesperson had placed him on the line.
“It’s very hard and dangerous to stay here," Sekkingstad said, begging the Norwegian and Philippine governments to help free him.
Sekkingstad's companions James Ridsdel and Robert Hall were beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf in April and June, respectively, while Filipina Marites Flor was released June 24 after negotiations with presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza.
Monday's call followed Friday's threat by the Abu Sayyaf spokesperson, Muammar Askali (alias Abu Rami), to behead Sekkingstad if Dureza insisted on the government’s no-ransom policy.
The Abu Sayyaf had previously said it will decapitate Sekkingstad if the government has not responded to a P300-million ($6 million) ransom demand by July 9.
But in Monday's call, Askali announced that the group had placed a temporary stay of execution on Sekkingstad after an emissary of Dureza called to negotiate.
Aside from the Norwegian, the Abu Sayyaf is also holding Dutchman Elwood Horn, seven Indonesian sailors, and around five locals.
Since 1991, the Abu Sayyaf -- armed with mostly improvised explosive devices, mortars and automatic rifles -- has carried out bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortions in a self-determined fight for an independent province in the Philippines.
It is notorious for beheading victims after ransoms have failed to be paid for their release.
