I was able to interview Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Secretary Jesus “Jess” Dureza regarding the Abu Sayyaf hostages on our morning show, “Kasangga Mo Ang Langit”, aired 10-11am daily on the TeleRadyo program of DZRJ 810khz, 8 TriMedia Network and I was able to ask him about how they were able to rescue the Norwegian national, Kjartan Sekkingstad from the Abu Sayyaf. As of this writing, Sekkingstad has already left the country for Norway to be with his loved ones after undergoing medical and security debriefing by the military intelligence group.
NO 100 MILLION RANSOM
Dureza says the success of the rescue was due to to “team work”, acknowledging even President Rodrigo Duterte.
Dureza denied that there was any ransom involved:
Rey: Secretary, how true na may ransom na involved na Hundred Million raw po?
Sec. Dureza: *Laughs* Kung may ransom akin nalang iyon, hindi ko na ibigay. Under our work, we almost speak very closely, very strictly to the “No ransom policy” in the government.
Dureza shared the backstory: When he went to Oslo, the sibling of Sekkingstad personally met with him and sought government assistance Upon arriving back in Manila, Dureza quietly spoke with the president (who gave his full support).
The peace czar also credited the military as they caused the Abu Sayyaf to constantly be on the run while being slowed down by the hostages.
INDONESIANS ALSO RELEASED
Aside from Sekkingstad, the Abu Sayyaf armed group also released three Indonesian hostages. Dureza shared that it just so happened that he slept overnight in Jolo because there was a “last minute operation” that needed military coordination which he helped out in. The Indonesians were rescued early dawn but instead of bringing the Indonesians to Davao, he already turned them over to Indonesian representatives who brougth them to Jakarta via Zamboanga; meanwhile, Sekkingstad was brought to Davao before flying home to Norway.
Funny enough, when I asked the Secretary to name the hostages, he declined:
Sec. Dureza: Hindi ko pa memorize eh. Kausap ko sila, masyadong Indonesian yung words. Ipa-validate nalang natin yung listahan doon sa may hawak nang documents.
The three Indonesian hostages were identified as Lorence Koten, Theorus Kopong, and Emanuel Arakain. They were abducted from the Sabah state of Malaysia in July.
NUR MISUARI
Nur Misuari also played a big role as it was the Moro National Liberal Front that conducted the negotiations for the release of the hostages and it was at the camp of Misuari that Sekkingstad was finally turned over to the government.
The inside story though is that the meeting between Dureza and Misuari was totally unplanned:
Sec. Dureza: Si Nur Misuari is insisting over the phone. Sabi ko, nandito na ko sa Jolo, puntahan nalang ako sa airport, doon nalang ipadala si Sekkingstad, ipadala nalang sa mga tao niya, at ipapasundo ko na riyan. And there’s his plan, kung pwedeng ihahatid niya or ihahatid ng tropa niya pero kailangan may mga tropa siyang puro armado at mga naka MNLF uniform at papasok sa Jolo. Ang sabi ko, “we cannot allow that”, dahil mabubulabog naman iyong buong Jolo dahil puro armado, at pag nag momove sila alam naman natin, napakarami.
So I didn’t allow it, I told him on the phone that we do not allow it. Eh may stand-off, so I decided hintay ka nalang diyan, ako na ang kukuha diyan sa loob, doon sa bundok. We went up to the area, and just camping the Indanan, because I was there in Patikol, pinuntahan ko nalang. At maganda naman ang resulta dahil diyan we had a very good meeting and then nakita ko iyong mga tropa niya, iyong lugar niya at nakapag usap din kami nang matagal.
But it was a blessing in disguise because it allowed him to finally meet Misuari and see their camp and living conditions.
NEGOTIATIONS
Negotations for the release of hostages is no small task, especially with an extremist group like the Abu Sayyaf. You will need courage, determination, presence of mind and readiness to face the consequences. I know because I have been involved in the rescue of some hostages myself and these were successful.
Like the Secretary said, ‘team play’ is important.
Congratulations to Sec. Dureza and Kudos to President Digong!
Photo credit: www.nrk.no
Photo credit: www.nrk.no