Duterte offers self in exchange for hostages taken from Samal Island

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said he was prepared to help the government in rescuing the four hostages who were taken by unidentified armed men from a Samal Island resort on Monday.

Duterte said he had asked assistance from both the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front to find out who was behind the abduction of Kjartan Sekkingstad, a Norwegian and operations manager of the resort; Canadians John Ridsdel, and Robert Hall and his Filipino girlfriend identified only as Tess.

Duterte even offered himself to be taken in as a hostage in exchange for the foreigners and the Filipino hostage.

"Well, I'll offer myself as an alternative, if you want it. I've done that before. I will offer myself as a hostage," Duterte said in an interview aired on GMA News TV's "State of the Nation."

"If they will release the prisoners, I'll be glad to join them in the forest to enjoy their company," he added. —NB, GMA News