Abu hostages sought help of Makati congressman

A family from Makati kidnapped by the Abu Say-yaf in June had sought the help of their congressman, Rep. Teodoro "Teddyboy" Locsin Jr., for their release.

This information surfaced yesterday when Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo I (Lakas, Valenzuela) told a news conference that businessman Buddy Recio asked "their favorite congressman for help."

"We will ask them who this member of Congress is and what was his role in the release of the Recios," he said.

Gunigundo, vice chairman of the House committee on defense, refused to identify the congressman, but indicated that he is from Makati.

"The Recios are his constituents," he said.

There are only two representatives of Makati City in the House: Agapito "Butz" Aquino and Teodoro "Teddyboy" Locsin Jr.

Locsin, who is also an active newspaper publisher, later admitted to reporters that he was the lawmaker that Gunigundo spoke of.

He said Buddy Recio had sought his help for the release of Recio’s sister-in-law Anggie who at that time was still being held by the Abu Sayyaf.

The Recio couple and sons RJ had already been freed then, he said.

He said he and Buddy Recio did not discuss any ransom payments and that the latter asked him to help, through his Muslims contacts, in the release of their sister-in-law.

He added that he obliged by talking to his Muslim friends.

RJ dashed to freedom along with wealthy contractor Reghis Romero and his female companion, Rhiza Santos, during the Lamitan, Basilan siege on June 2.

The other Recios were release later.

There were reports that Romero paid the Abu Sayyaf millions in ransom for his and his friend’s freedom. Romero has consistently denied the reports.

Sen. Sergio Osmeña III has claimed that the Abu Sayyaf, military leaders and local officials shared the contract’s ransom payment.

Many Basilan residents, including Father Cirilo Nacorda, have charged the military with colluding with the bandits and allowing them to escape during the Lamitan siege.

Government troops had already encircled the Abu Sayyaf group led by Abu Sabaya.

The House defense committee has invited the Recios to appear in its hearing on Dec. 19.

Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri (Lakas, Bukidnon), a member of the committee, said he was right all along in saying that Romero and other Abu Sayyaf hostages paid ransom.

He said he had been informed by a Cabinet member that Romero was ready to "confess" about the ransom payment before the defense committee, but changed his mind at the last minute for unknown reasons.

"It is now becoming clear that he indeed made a payment," he said.

In Basilan, the military said it is optimistic that the rescue of an American missionary couple and a Filipina nurse held by the Abu Sayyaf "is already on the final stages of execution."

Military Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu said the rescue plans will be "very meticulous, the execution very careful, very decicate and very precise." – With Roel Pareño