Captive community worker 'very sick,' says negotiator

ZAMBOANGA CITY – One of the two female community workers held captive by the Abu Sayyaf is “very sick” and has appealed for her early release, a government negotiator and an official of a non-government organization said yesterday.

Basilan Crisis Management Committee (CMC) chairman and negotiator Vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul managed for the first time to talk to the hostages last Tuesday night, three weeks after their kidnapping.

Fr. Angel Calvo, chairman of the Nagdilaab Foundation Inc., confirmed the contact, saying that NFI program coordinator Esperancita Hupida is sick.

“Espie is reportedly sick and the other victim is getting weak but she is well,” Calvo said, referring to Miller Mendoza, who is also a veteran community worker.

“We appeal to their captors to release them because they were just trying to help the community. We also appeal to the people in general to help find peaceful means in resolving the problem as this is not our problem,” he said.

Sakalahul said the contact was established after Hupida called him up Tuesday night.