‘Prayer warrior’ insists they were not hostages

One of the rescued "prayer warriors" of a Christian charismatic group held captive for three months in the jungles of Sulu insisted yesterday that they were not held against their will by Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot.

In fact, Alvin Flores claimed Andang wanted him and the 11 other evangelists to leave the rebel camp in Jolo, Sulu. But just when they were about to go, the bombings began.

"Robot then brought us along. He told us that he didn’t want us to get hurt," Flores said.

After more than two weeks of dodging bombs and bullets, the evangelists from the Jesus Miracle Crusade were recovered by soldiers on Monday when one of their members escaped and informed the military of the location of the others, officials said.

Yesterday, they were welcomed by President Estrada in a ceremony at Mala-cañang. Their ailing leader, Wilde Almeda, waved weakly from a stretcher as dozens of supporters cheered.

According to Press Secretary Ricardo Puno Jr., Almeda had a "very emotional meeting" with Mr. Estrada, who "stroked his hair and held his hand."

The evangelists were held hostage on July 1 after they paid $3,000 and 35 bags of rice to visit a rebel camp and pray for the release of an earlier group of hostages.

Their recovery leaves the largest Abu Sayyaf faction, led by Robot, with no more hostages to use as human shields and opened the way for a direct military assault. Helicopter gunships had earlier avoided direct attacks on the group to prevent injuries to the hostages.

Flores said that Robot actually treated them well, and that the rebel leader had told them they were free to leave anytime.

In one of their prayers, Flores said Robot confessed to them that he wants to lead a peaceful life.

But before Flores could continue, Puno said Robot should first be made to account for his criminal acts before leading such a life.

"I think the Abu Sayyaf must first pay the price for what they have done," he said.

A wave of kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf which began in March has badly embarrassed Mr. Estrada’s government and tarnished the Philippines’ reputation among tourists and investors.

Most of the scores of hostages have been rescued or released after the payment of more than $15 million in ransom by Libya and Malaysia, negotiators said.

AFP chief Gen. Angelo Reyes echoed Puno’ statement, saying Robot and his followers will have to face the courts if they are caught.

"People who violate the law will have to be punished so that the entire society will be protected," Reyes said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Robert Barbers hailed Almeda and his prayer warriors for their courage.

"Despite all the torment they were going through and the criticisms and the insults hurled against them, they managed to keep their fortitude and strong belief in God and think not of their own well being but of the welfare of the other hostages," the senator said.

Barbers then called Almeda and his group as the epitome of true Christians.

He said these people never wavered their trust in God and never doubted the power of prayers.

"From the start, I have always believed that prayers can move mountains, and the safe recovery of the evangelists is a living proof of the power of prayers," Barbers said. – With Perseus Echeminada