INDANAN, Philippines—A Norwegian man freed by militants after a year of jungle captivity in the southern Philippines described the ordeal Sunday as “devastating,” carrying a backpack with a bullet hole as a reminder of a near-death experience that included the beheadings of the two Canadians kidnapped with him.
Kjartan Sekkingstad was freed by his Abu Sayyaf captors on Saturday to rebels from the larger Moro National Liberation Front, which has signed a peace deal with the Philippine government and helped negotiate his release. On Sunday, he was handed over to Philippine authorities, along with three Indonesian fishermen freed separately by the Abu Sayyaf.
Released Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad (front row L) poses with Moro National Liberation Front Chairman Nur Misuari (front row 2nd R) after being turned over by ransom-seeking Abu Sayyaf extremists in Indanan township on Jolo island in southern Philippines on Sept. 18, 2016. AP Photo/Nickee Butlangan
