The terrorists were paid 1.4 million in ransom. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) was caught on a 3 hour CD stealing the last election in the Philippines. It is vote fraud on a massive scale. They are calling it "Gloria-gate". Ransom was paid to get her scandals out of the headlines.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/jun23/news1.htm
Tarongoy freed; $1.4M paid to Iraq militants?
‘Get him back at all cost and immediately’ was Palace directive
PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday announced the release of Robert Tarongoy who was kidnapped by Iraqi militants seven months.
Tarongoy was in the custody of the Iraq crisis team led by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, Arroyo said after hearing Mass at the Convent of Adoration in Cebu City.
Gilberto Asuque, foreign affairs spokesman, said no ransom was paid.
But sources said the crisis team paid $1.4 million to Tarongoy’s kidnappers following instructions from Manila to secure Tarongoy’s freedom "at all cost and immediately."
The sources said the crisis team members were puzzled by the instructions which reversed a long-standing no-ransom policy, the reason negotiations had dragged on since the abduction of Tarongoy on Nov. 1, 2004.
The instruction to get back Tarongoy at all cost, given 10 days ago, was seen as part of Malacañang’s attempt to push the Gloria-gate issue out of the headlines.
The sources said the ransom money came from the government, not Taronggoy’s employer, Saudi Trading and Contracting Co.
The sources said SATCO refused to share even a part of the ransom money because that would also commit it to pay for the release of Roy Hallums, another employe who was kidnapped with Tarongoy.
The sources said that as of last week the Philippine team was still bargaining for $1 million, which was the amount reportedly paid to get the latest French hostage back. But the kidnappers sensed that the Philippines wanted Tarongoy back badly so they took a hard-line position. They eventually settled for $1.4 million. Their original demand was for $10 million.
Arroyo talked briefly over the telephone with Tarongoy’s wife Ivy. The Tarongoys are from Davao.
"Sa wakas si Robert Tarongoy ay pauwi na pagkatapos ng mahabang panahon. Kausap ko si Ivy Tarongoy ngayon… at umaapaw ang kanyang pagpasalamat at kaligayahan. Itong araw pa namang ito ay third anniversary nila na mag-asawa kaya talagang ang Panginoon, alam niya kung kailan ang tamang panahon," the President said.
Arroyo said details on Tarongoy’s release will come from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
"Ang masasabi ko lang ngayon, salamat, salamat sa Panginoon, mabuhay ang OFW," the President said.
Asuque said Seguis took hold of Tarongoy at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday (shortly after midnight in Manila).
Asuque said Seguis received a call from a person who said Tarongoy would be dropped off at a certain location in Baghdad.
"They met him there and collected him and brought him to the Palestine Hotel where Seguis is staying," he said.
Jose Brillantes, undersecretary for migrant workers affairs, said arrangements were being made for Tarongoy’s early return.
He said Tarongoy was in "relatively good health but a little bit thinner."
It was not clear what kind of assistance the Philippines asked from these countries.
Tarongoy reportedly sneaked into Iraq on July 23, 2004, a day after truck driver Angelo dela Cruz came home.
Dela Cruz was abducted by Iraqi militants on July 8, 2004, and was released after Manila capitulated to his captors’ demand to pull out its humanitarian contingent from Iraq. – Ellen Tordesillas, Jocelyn Montemayor and Marilou Jumilla
