Tarongoy recovers well after Iraq ordeal

DAVAO CITY — Former Iraq hostage Roberto Tarongoy has recovered well more than a year after his harrowing eight-month ordeal in the hands of Iraqi militants.

"So far, I have not suffered any nightmares or trauma. I have kept my faith in God that He would help me get back to a normal life after the abduction," he told The STAR.

He and his wife, Ivy Grace, have ventured into a small business of selling motorcycle parts in the northern part of the city.

Except for his left foot that has yet to fully heal, Tarongoy said he has recovered from his captivity in Iraq, adding that he would dedicate his life to a ministry that would glorify God’s mercy and grace.

Tarongoy named his first-born child "Rafael" after Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis who had secured his safe release from his Iraqi captors.

"It is really to show our deep appreciation to those who helped secure my release, including the Arroyo administration and especially Sir Seguis who did everything beyond the call of duty just to make sure that I would be released safely," he said.

Sequis and his team even gave up their celebrating Christmas with their families in 2004 just to make sure that the negotiations for Tarongoy’s release would go on smoothly and uninterrupted.

Tarongoy was abducted on Nov. 1, 2004 when a group of Iraqi militants swooped down on their office in the center of Baghdad.

He was freed after eight months, thanks to the efforts of a Department of Foreign Affairs team led by Seguis which negotiated his freedom.

Tarongoy’s wife gave birth to Rafael at the Brokenshire Hospital here last Monday night.