SYDNEY, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG) James Marape confirmed on Sunday that all four hostages, including University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Professor Bryce Barker, were released with no ransom taken.
"We apologize to the families of those taken as hostages for ransom, it took us a while but the last three have been successfully returned through covert operations," Marape wrote on his social media.
He noted that the release came with no ransom of 3.5 million kinas (about 0.99 million U.S. dollars) paid.
While thanking the national defense force, police officers and local communities for the successful rescue of the hostages, the prime minister urged the Pacific island country's youth to resort to agriculture and small business for a living.
"This is the first time this sort of thing has happened and it must be the last time. It must not be repeated. As your Prime Minister, let me tell you today, crime does not pay. I appeal to you to pick up MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises), agriculture, tourism and work to earn your money to make a living," said Marape.
He called on the kidnappers to surrender themselves to police to resolve this matter and acknowledged the safe return of all hostages, including three women who were not assaulted while in the captivity of the kidnappers.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed her welcome for the news from PNG that all hostages have been released.
"Thank you to PNG's government for its leadership in securing a safe & peaceful resolution. Also thanks to the Australian & NZ officials who helped support this outcome," she said.
USQ Vice-Chancellor Geraldine Mackenzie also said in a statement that the university was relieved to hear their colleague and his research team had been released on Sunday.
According to the statement, Barker and his research team were in PNG undertaking archaeological research.
"Our deepest thanks go to the governments of Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand, and the many people who worked tirelessly during this extremely difficult and sensitive time to secure their release," said Mackenzie.
On Tuesday, PNG's local media Post-Courier reported that Barker, who is an Australian resident as well as New Zealand national, and three PNG women were being held captive inside the jungles of Southern Highlands after they were kidnapped at gunpoint in the Fogoma'iu Village.
Villagers told Post-Courier that at 2:00 a.m. local time on Feb. 19, the research team was sleeping at home and was surrounded by several armed men.
One of the four hostages, a PNG woman, was first released from the captors on Wednesday afternoon, according to a statement from the Royal PNG Constabulary. ■