Freed engineer visits Capitol; tells ordeal in bandits' hands

CEBU, Philippines - A few days after escaping from the hands of his abductors, Cebuano engineer Virgilio Fernandez visited the Cebu Provincial Capitol yesterday and personally thanked Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for the assistance her administration extended to his family.

Fernandez also shared to the governor his arduous experience in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf and how he escaped from his captors.

He said the kidnapping has been planned by the Abu Sayyaf when they insisted him to be the engineer they were looking for despite many times he denied and told them he is just a foreman.

The ransom was reportedly increased from P9.8 million in the first day, P20 million in the third day and P30 million in the fifth day.

“I was just waiting to be beheaded. My family cannot raise that amount,” Fernandez told Garcia.

For the entire duration of his captivity, Fernandez said he was transferred from one place to another at least nine times during night time while he was only allowed to lie down during day time.

From being 165 pounds, Fernandez lost weight up to 135 pounds for missing some of his meals but he said it made him stronger to survive.

Fernandez also thanked the Cebuanos for prayers that gave him strength and presence of mind.

By pretending to be sick, which made his abductors lax in watching him, Fernandez found a chance to run away in the middle of heavy downpour until he was able to meet a military asset who led him the way for rescue in the morning of June 19, when Fathers’ Day was being observed.

Fernandez has no more plans to go back to his work in Basilan after the kidnapping incident and will find ways how he can settle his accounts there and the turnover of his road project worth P4 million in Tuburan town.

Fernandez admitted he accept the job opportunities offered in Basilan to settle his obligation in Cebu.

Fernandez has pending case before the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Branch 3 for BP 22 or bouncing check.

Prosecutor Noel Cellona elevated the case and required no bail for Fernandez.

Cellona stated no preliminary was conducted as it was unnecessary since the case was covered by the rule on summary procedure.

The complainant of the case was James Alekhine Tan, president and general manager of Hesreal Development Corporation.

Tan said on July 8, 2008 Fernandez issued a check to the Hesreal Bank of Commerce in the amount of P81,200 and P67,950.

They wanted to en cash the check but it was dishonored due to insufficient funds.

Tan said that they sent a letter to Fernandez and received by him but the latter refused to affix his signature and also failed to pay despite repeated demands. —(FREEMAN)