Kidnapped NGO worker released

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Suspected Abu Sayyaf militants freed one of two community workers they had held captive for 45 days in the jungles of Basilan before dawn yesterday, authorities said.

No money changed hands in the release of Esperancita Hupida, program coordinator of the Nagdilaab Foundation Inc. (NFI), a non-government organization serving depressed communities in Basilan, said Vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul.

“I did not see a single centavo handed to the guy who brought down Hupida,” he said.

The kidnappers directly asked Hupida’s husband, Nestor, to fetch his wife in Sitio Bohe Kasa, Barangay Magkawa in Al-Barka town, near the border of Tipo-Tipo town, at around 2:15 a.m., he said.

Sakalahul, who headed the crisis management committee that handled the negotiations, said the couple embraced each other and immediately left the area to prevent other groups from sabotaging Hupida’s release.

Hupida was then brought to the camp of the First Marine Brigade in Isabela City and later to the base of Naval Forces Western Mindanao in this city.

Sakalahul said there was no immediate word on the fate of NGO worker Millet Mendoza.

But he expressed hope that Mendoza, who worked with a Malaysian-supported foundation, would be freed soon.

“I am very optimistic that Millet will follow but I don’t want to give any timeframe,” Sakalahul said, adding that the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team has put pressure on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to assist in Mendoza’s release.

Hupida, who looked pale and haggard, attributed her release to “God’s providence,” citing miracles during her captivity.

Hupida said she was treated fairly and fed by her captors, but added that she was scared when the kidnappers threatened to cut her fingers if ransom would not be paid.

The kidnappers, according to reports, demanded P2-million ransom, but Hupida could not confirm if money was paid for her freedom.

“I was really afraid (because) the threat was really real,” Hupida said.

She said Mendoza was kept away from her in another safehouse though in the same place.

Hupida and Mendoza were traveling with 10 other community workers last Sept. 15 in two vehicles when they were stopped by 10 armed men in Ungkaya Pukan town.

Seven of the workers managed to escape in one vehicle, leaving Hupida, Mendoza and three others. The gunmen released the three hours later.

Besides Mendoza, two others remain in captivity in Basilan: nurse Preciosa Feliciano and nursing student Joed Anthony Pilangga.

Feliciano was abducted last August, and Pilangga last Oct. 17 both in this city and brought to Basilan.

Fr. Angel Calvo, NFI president, thanked those who worked and prayed for Hupida’s release.

“It was painful, sometimes often cruel experience that affects so many people. The experience needs to be healed,” he said.

“We have to (remember) those who are still suffering (from) the experience,” he added.

Calvo challenged the MILF to be sincere in its promise to assist in the release of all the remaining captives.

“As far as we know very little (assistance) or practically nothing (was given by the MILF),” he said.

“The MILF has the golden opportunity to prove (its) sincerity in transforming the political realities in the area,” he added.

Hupida said she still has no plans to return to Basilan, but Calvo said the NFI will continue its activities in the province, except in critical areas where they have to assess the situation. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe