Tarongoy’s parents ask GMA to heed Iraqi militants’ demands

DAVAO CITY — As the deadline for his execution expired, the parents of abducted Filipino accountant Roberto Tarongoy appealed to President Arroyo yesterday to accede to his kidnappers’ demands.

"We are strongly asking you to heed the captors’ demand, by making a political statement… withdrawing our Philippine cooperation with the (United States) in Iraq," Tarongoy’s parents, Tomas and Isabelita, said in a letter reportedly faxed to Malacañang before noon yesterday. It was also faxed to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Tarongoy’s captors reportedly set a deadline of 11 p.m. Friday (Manila time today, 4 a.m.) for the Philippine government to stop all military cooperation with the United States and pull out an estimated 6,000 Filipinos working as support staff in American installations in Iraq.

Malacañang, for its part, asked Filipinos to pray for Tarongoy even as it reiterated the government’s no-ransom policy in dealing with his abductors.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the government, including chief negotiator DFA Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, is doing everything it can to secure Tarongoy’s safe release.

"What we can do is help him through our prayers so that our countryman can return home safely," Bunye said. "Let us hope for the best and let’s pray for the safety of Roberto Tarongoy."

He said Malacañang has confidence in Seguis and the rest of the negotiators, who said they are optimistic that Tarongoy would still come home alive.

Bunye said Seguis had been in Iraq for the past five months undertaking operations to secure Tarongoy’s freedom. However, he said he could not divulge details of Seguis’ efforts.

He denied rumors that the government offered $6 million to Tarongoy’s abductors in exchange for his safe release.

As for the plea made by Tarongoy’s parents, Bunye said Malacañang will wait for the negotiators’ recommendations on the matter.

Tarongoy’s parents also asked Mrs. Arroyo to order an independent negotiation with their son’s kidnappers instead of relying on US efforts to secure his release. They said "a review of our policy regarding our relationship with the US" would buy time for their son. — With Pia Lee-Brago, Paolo Romero, Katherine Adraneda, Mayen Jaymalin, AFP