Ex-hostages back use of Sayyaf as ‘live targets’

Four former captives of the Abu Sayyaf group came out yesterday to express their full support to President Arroyo’s decision to use their kidnappers as "live targets" during the joint RP-US "Balikatan" military exercise.

The four, two teachers and two nurses, were featured as special guests during the live telecast from Dumaguete City of the President’s weekly radio and television program "May Gloria Ang Bukas Mo."

The four were spouses Robert and Lida Ajon and nurses Reina Malonzo and Sheila Tabunyag.

The Ajons were among the public school teachers and students of Claret School in Tuburan, Basilan who were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf on Mar. 20, 2000 and held until May 3 of the same year.

"For me, we really need Balikatan. Why? Because it’s a big help to our Filipino soldiers... So those who criticize it should keep quiet for now and instead help us there in Basilan," Robert said in Filipino.

Lida’s arm was amputated after she was shot by the bandits as they were rescued by the Task Force Thunder, led by then Col. Hermogenes Esperon, who is now a brigadier general as chief of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

Malonzo and Tabunyag, on the other hand, were abducted from the Jose Ma. Torres Memorial Hospital in Lamitan town on June 2 last year.

They recounted their ordeal under the Abu Sayyaf and recalled how they felt when they were abducted by the bandits, who had just arrived in Basilan from Palawan with 20 other hostages, including American couple Martin and Gracia Burnham.

The President said the story of the four former captives vividly showed the violence and abusiveness of the bandit group and reiterated that the crimes they committed against the four victims are also crimes against the Filipino people.

"No one from among the Abu Sayyaf should escape. Their world of terrorism is getting smaller and smaller," she said.

"We should finally put an end to this fight. The time has come for us to take a stand. I am sorry to displease my critics again but, really, it’s either black or white. There are no gray areas," she said.

"You are either for or against terrorism. You’re either for or against democracy," the President added.