A PALACE official said Sunday the Duterte administration does not know if a third party paid the ransom for the safe release of Norwegian hostage Kjartan Sekkingstad.
Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar, however, stressed the government's no ransom policy.
"I would like to reiterate that the government maintains the no-ransom policy," he said in an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
"Now, if a third party gave (ransom), if the family gave, we do not know. The government maintains a no ransom policy when it comes to kidnappings," he said.
Andanar challenged the media to inform the government where they got the information that P30-million ransom was paid for the release of the Norwegian.
"May be wherever you, media, got that information, you tell us and whoever told you that because we don't have information regarding that ransom," he said.
Sekkingstand would be presented to President Rodrigo Duterte Sunday night in Davao City.
The Abu Sayyaf seized Sekkingstad, along with three others -- two Canadians and a Filipina -- in a resort in Samal Island, Davao del Norte in September last year.
The bandits separately beheaded Canadians John Ridsdell and Robert Hall after failure to receive ransom payment.
Filipina hostage Marites Flor was released shortly before President Rodrigo Duterte assumed post on June 30.
Andanar said military operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu will continue even after Sekkingstad's release. (SDR/Sunnex)