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.
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- Philippines has a new Six Million Dollar man.
- More posts from the Belmont Club on Angelo dela Cruz's Ransom here, here and here.
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- OpinionJournal: Italy's Ransom
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