June 22, 2005

Filipino Hostage Released in Iraq

This is VERY good news. Not only for the family of Robert Tarangoy, but because Tarangoy was taken hostage along with Roy Hallums. As you know, I've developed something of a relationship with the Hallums family. Keep Roy in your prayers, there is still hope. FYI--if you are in the Southern California area, there will be a candlelight vigil for Roy tomorrow in Huntington Beach. Details here. CNN:

Robert Tarongoy, a Filipino citizen taken hostage in Iraq almost eight months ago, has been freed, Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Wednesday.

In a phone interview with Philippines' GMA television station, an emotional Tarongoy thanked Arroyo, The Associated Press reported. "She did not neglect me," he said, also thanking diplomats who helped win his freedom.

Asked how he was treated by his captors, Tarongoy said, his voice cracking: "You know how long I was kept there. It was difficult," AP reported.

In a written statement announcing his release, Arroyo said: "Robert is now safe in the hands of the Iraq hostage crisis team led by [Foreign] Undersecretary Rafael Seguis who is making the necessary arrangements to bring him back to the Philippines."....

The AP also reported that Seguis told GMA that no ransom was paid and several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Jordan -- along with Muslim clerics -- helped secure Tarongoy's release.

Seguis said Tarongoy could be home as early as Thursday, according to the AP.

Tarongoy's wife -- in the Filipino city of Davao -- told AP her husband's release coincided with their third wedding anniversary.

"It's a very wonderful gift for both of us," she said. "I'm very happy."

The government of the Philippines secured the release of one of its nationals held hostage in Iraq after agreeing to set demands, the previously unknown armed group which claimed to have held him said, as reported b, Al-Jazeera television reported.

The Doha-based channel broadcast a videotape showing the hostage held by two armed men, reading what they claimed to be a statement by the Philippine foreign ministry, saying it has banned its nationals from travelling to Iraq and adopted a new law to punish those who disobeyed the order.