Freed Indon hostages turned over to envoy, recount ordeal

ZAMBOANGA City — Two Indonesian hostages rescued by Filipino troops from Muslim Abu Sayyaf rebels said yesterday they nearly lost hope of ever regaining their freedom during their three-month long captivity.

Yamin Labaso and Erikson Hutagaol were turned over yesterday to Indonesian officials in the southern Philippines. They were rescued last weekend after elite forces stormed an Abu Sayyaf lair in the southern island of Jolo.

The two were presented to Indonesian Ambassador Junus Effendi Habibie, still wearing their hospital gowns. They have been undergoing medical checks since they were freed Sunday.

A third hostage, Ahmad Resmiyadi, remains in captivity but is believed to be still alive.

The three were seized by Muslim pirates in March after their boat was attacked off the coast of Malaysia’s Sabah state. They were then turned over to Abu Sayyaf rebels and were kept in jungle hideouts in Jolo.

According to Habibie, Hutagaol could hardly believe that he was now going home after being held for months in the jungles of Sulu.

"They thought they will not go home anymore because of the difficult condition," Habibie said, adding that Hutagaol was diagnosed with hepatitis B which he had contracted in the jungle.

Labuso said they were transferred hastily from different locations in the Sulu forest to avoid detection and pursuing government troops.

The released captives said food was a problem, as they had to eat whatever was offered.

The victims also revealed to Indonesian officials there were times their lives were threatened by their captors whom they identified as the Abu Sayyaf.

"We barely eat and sleep at night because we have to move from different places until Sunday when the armed men (army) rescued us," one of them said.

Habibie said Indonesian authorities were working closely with their Philippine counterparts in trying to go after the Abu Sayyaf. He did not give specific details.

"They are our common enemy. We are helping hunt them down and there should be no mercy from us," Habibie said through an interpreter.

The two are to be flown back to Indonesia on Saturday, he said.

After the briefing, the victims managed to call their respective families through the help of Indonesian officials.

"I am all right now," Hutagaol told his mother in Bahasa.

Habibie said the two are scheduled to meet with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono when they get home.

"There will be big party, big or small, the important thing is that the joy is there," Habibie said.

He expressed hope that the remaining hostage Resmiyadi would be rescued safely.

Habibie at the same time thanked Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza for the swift rescue of his two countrymen, and recommended that Braganza have a courtesy call with Yudhoyono when the Indonesian leader visits the country on June 20. — With AFP