CAPTIVE
DOS PALMAS RESORT PALAWAN ISLAND - WEST PHILIPPINES
DAY 1 - 27 MAY 2001
Cut the telephone lines!
Look for gasoline!
Thank you.
Let's go this way.
Upstairs!
Haroun, wait!
- Leave it, it's broken. - No!
What's happening?
Move!
Get dressed!
Faster!
Please, Missis!
Get back!
Drop your gun!
- Maybe from the mountain. - What?
- The mountain, Ma'am. - The mountain?
Yes, Ma'am.
Over there.
You! Come with us!
- Faster! - Move. Move.
Drop that! Follow us!
Soledad!
What do you want?
Move.
Faster!
Let me get my shoes on!
- We'll do what you want. - Follow us!
Move it! Quickly!
- Keep quiet! - You, stay here!
Faster! Move! Faster!
Avoid touching the women!
Move, move.
Molazem!
Santi!
Don't move!
God is Great!
A boat!
Hide them!
- Move! - Everybody down!
Keep quiet!
Moor it.
OK. Go ahead.
Help them.
- Take your things. - Hold tight, it's slippery!
Walk slowly!
Be careful!
We Tausugs don't fall off boats!
- Shithead! - You suck!
Get up! Get up!
Keep an eye on them!
Our stuff'll get wet!
Help the old woman cross.
Why did you bring that old hag along?
Go back! You go back!
Sit!
Hurry up!
Don't worry, Master.
She'll be good for a ransom.
People will pity an old woman.
God is Great!
- Hey, everybody! - Listen up!
Look at me. Listen!
I want you to know...
that we maintain high level of morality here.
The Qur'an doesn't want sexy clothes.
Woman doesn't show their arms and legs.
Men should be covered from navel to his knees.
In Islam, man doesn't touch woman...
who's not their wife.
You! Is she your wife?
Is that woman, your wife?
Her?
Swap seats if she's not your wife!
- He's my husband! - I heard!
Samuel, come sit next to me.
You should not take things which is not yours...
or else your hands will be cut off.
You will get your names and you tell us what you do in your life.
Randolph Bardone.
- You? - Fanny Tanjuatco.
I'm a publicist for a travel magazine.
What's a travel magazine?
It's a lifestyle magazine.
Who are these two?
- He's our son. - And she's my sister, Annette.
- What other businesses do you have? - None.
Tell the truth!
Our only source of income is the magazine.
Then they're fish food.
They're useless! Toss them out!
- You? Your name? - It's my fiancée.
Emma Policarpio.
- Where are you from? - Brooke's Point, Palawan.
Palawan?
- Where are you from? - California.
- USA? - Yes.
- You're Chinese? Right? - Yes.
- Chinese or Japanese? - Chinese.
That's 10 million...
- That's 10 million ransom! - You're rich?
I don't have ransom money.
The Chinese are meant to be rich!
You own everything!
- That's not true. - Who are these kids?
My daughter and my niece.
What businesses do you have?
Tell the truth!
- I'm just a teacher! - Teacher? Chinese?
What?
- I'm a teacher. - Don't you fool me!
- George Gueco. - George what?
Gueco.
This is my wife.
Her name is Jean.
- What's your job? - I work in a bank.
- You own a bank? - No, I work in one.
- How much ransom can you pay? - Stop asking them!
You tell them how much they should pay.
Therese Bourgoine.
I'm a social worker, a volunteer.
I'm working in Palawan with her.
She's my companion.
Her name is Soledad Carpio.
Not another missionary!
No one will pay for them.
Don't worry.
Someone will pay a ransom for them.
- You French woman? - Yes... C
These are medicines...
but these are the things...
we keep for the children we are teaching in Aborian.
- Who are these? - My family.
- Your family? - Yes.
- Can you give it to me? - Later! This?
What's inside?
- Books and my bibles. - Books? Bibles?
Holy shit!
Unnecessary baggage!
Please, don't throw it!
What are you going to do?
We have no use for this.
We can't use this.
- Don't do this, please! - No, no...
- Don't throw it! - Stay away!
I'm warning you!
You sit down, down, down!
I told you, those, we cannot use that!
Unnecessary load!
Is this your family?
Yes. This is my husband...
and my two sons and daughter.
It's my children I worry about.
In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds
The Gracious, the Merciful
Master of the Day of Judgment
Thee alone do we worship
And Thee alone do we implore for help
Guide us on the right path
The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings
Rain, rain, go away!
Come back another day!
- Would you want some? - Eat.
I'm not hungry.
- Are you sure? - Yes.
Come on, eat. Eat.
Why are you giving your food? He's your enemy.
He's just a kid.
Yes, but he's carrying a gun.
Hello, Julius?
Listen, I'm in trouble.
Carmina and I were in a resort and got kidnapped.
Fix this as soon as possible, no questions asked.
You know what to do...
and you keep it secret.
OK?
The two will be released as soon as the money goes into the bank.
Someone will call to tell you which bank in Zamboanga.
Just make sure $ 750,000 is delivered to us in cash.
We need funds here.
Thank you, Sir.
You're welcome also.
You!
Yes, you. Come here.
Come here.
I want you to read this.
You are now live on our local radio station, Radio Agong.
Read that.
"I'm John Bernstein.
And with me is my wife Sophie.
We are missionaries, based on the island of Luzon.
We want everybody to know that we've been taken hostage...
by Osama bin Laden...
together with 20 other people."
Mama, look at the dolphins!
Look at the dolphins!
What are you doing here?
Where's the captain of the boat?
Can you speak English, Officer?
I'm a foreigner.
I don't understand.
- Where's the captain? - He's down the deck, he's fixing...
There's a minor problem with the engine.
Do you have a bullhorn?
He's asking for a bullhorn.
What is your problem?
We don't have a problem.
We just...
We are just fixing a...
We have a minor problem with the engine, Officer.
- Who are you? - What?
- Where are you headed? - We are social workers.
And we are transporting supplies to our base.
- We can escort you. - No, thank you. We will be...
It will be all right.
It just takes a few minutes to fix...
the problem. It's ok!
TUBURAN, BASILAN ISLAND SOUTH PHILIPPINES
DAY 5 - 31 MAY 2001
Hold on tight. It's slippery.
Wait.
- Are you ok? - Yes.
Go that way!
What is it?
- Are you okay? - Can I see it?
It's nothing.
It's horrible!
Faster!
- Where are we? - I don't know.
Saiyed!
- Peace be upon you! - And upon you!
Any news of the marines?
I heard they're still searching the sea.
Let's wait here.
God is Great!
You can use this.
- I'm not comfortable with this. - It's ok.
You can use it as a blanket.
Thank you.
Wait!
Don't tie them up.
Leave them.
You can go to the river and wash.
We'll go to Lamitan.
They refuse to come up here...
so we will go to them.
Move!
Hey, you!
No! No like that!
Use!
Yes, use! Come!
Hold!
You put inside! You!
Like this! Roll!
Then, bite!
And then, you wash.
Left, right, left, right.
And then, pants down.
Can you take the gun, please?
Put it on! Down, down, down!
- Down! - Like this?
Bite!
Down, down.
Can you help her, please?
Move away! Move! Move!
Hurry!
Whoever they are...
tell them to stop their offensive!
Abu...
let me talk to the radio station.
The President must stop...
military action here in Basilan.
We hostages are still here.
What do they want?
To kill us in the crossfire?
A hostage wants to talk to you.
What about the agreement? Why the attack?
Sir, please.
Stop the military operation.
They have been treating us well...
but these encounters will cost us our lives.
Yes, the foreigners are still here.
But I don't know if anybody has been hurt.
Please, Sir, stop the operations.
Stop it now!
Sir! Call them off now!
Come on.
You, go this way!
Go this way.
Sujib!
There's no more room. Leave them behind.
No!
Hurry!
Squeeze in, please.
Please get in, Ma'am.
- Is the road clear? - Yes, Sir, all clear.
- Here is your money. - Thank you, Sir.
Mokhif!
DR. JOSE MA. TORRES HOSPITAL LAMITAN CITY
DAY 6 - 1 JUNE 2001
Wait!
Help them up.
- Get in! - Just a minute!
Shut up!
What's going on?
Untie them.
I said to untie them!
Shut up!
Follow me.
This way.
Here, here!
Inside! Go!
Who are you?
What do you want?
Find rooms for our visitors.
Go with him.
We need rooms.
I'm so tired, man.
Go that way.
There!
Food!
Can I have some?
Go in. Go sit somewhere.
Stay calm.
Thank you.
- Here. - Thank you.
Can I take this?
Yes? Bread?
Just sit down.
Eat quietly.
Don't make noise.
Who wants some?
Joe, you like?
Can I have more bread?
Who wants bananas?
There are some over there.
Give him some bread.
Listen up.
Don't mix visitors with patients.
We have rooms for them.
You can bathe. You can go shower, you'll be more comfortable there.
Sorry to disturb you.
We just need a place to rest and get some sleep.
Go on.
Take them to their rooms.
- Fanny, that's not ours! - We haven't eaten for a week!
We need it!
Therese, do you think you can help me go out?
I want to piss.
- It hurts! - I'll pay you later. Nurse!
- Nurse - I can't bear the pain!
Easy now!
Is she about to deliver?
Bring her in!
Nurse!
Sir!
Hurry up or we'll find another hospital!
Wheelchair!
- Cindy! - Ma'am, let's go inside.
Wheelchair!
Where's the room?
Stay here, Sir.
Hurry up!
Here's dinner!
It's dinnertime!
Let me pass!
- Hey, Joe! Move your feet! - Excuse me!
Dinner time!
Hold on a second.
It's very hot!
Joe, eat! Food!
Thank you.
Push!
Push some more!
- I want to see my wife! - Sure, you're horny!
You have lots of wives!
Why are there soldiers here?
You burned me!
Get down!
It's coming.
Base, this is R&R vehicle.
We are under fire!
Two men down!
Auntie! I didn't mean to!
- We're 300m from camp. - Who is attacking?
We don't know.
We need reinforcements!
Copy! Reinforcement is coming!
What was that?
It's the soldiers!
- What? - It's the soldiers!
I'll come with you.
You two, out front.
You, cover this side.
Omar, guard the backyard.
You, go back to your position.
Come on.
Ma'am, just one more push!
It's a boy!
Relax, Ma'am.
A handsome boy, and so healthy!
Don't worry, we're safe here.
Baby, you're out of your mom.
Clean him up.
Hush, baby. Everything's okay.
Everyone must go home!
Children, go home!
The military reinforcement has arrived.
There are two APCs and then the soldiers.
- One more question? - Please talk to my superior.
What happened last night?
We were going home to our families when we heard gunshots.
I lost two of my comrades.
Do you think it's related...
to the recent kidnapping in Palawan?
I have no idea.
Do you think those inside are the Abu Sayyaf?
I've no idea.
General, Abu Saiyed...
and his men are upstairs.
Is it all here?
It's the exact amount.
The hostages are safe.
We want to leave safely.
Just wait for our signal.
And stay away from unfriendly areas.
Don't go where you're not protected.
All right, this will do.
Deposit the rest in Zamboanga.
You may release the two now.
We exit at the back.
Watch out, the militia is everywhere.
LAMITAN SIEGE
DAY 7- 2 JUNE 2001
Go!
Pick your enemy!
Watch out for the civilians!
Men, ready to fire!
What are you doing?
This isn't what we agreed!
People might get hurt!
It's up to you.
- You! Come here! - Me, what?
Faster!
You talk to your embassy!
Call your embassy!
Tell them that we are in a hospital attacked by the militaries!
Hi. I'm...
Remind them about the Geneva Convention!
- No hostilities in hospitals! - I am Therese...
I am Therese Bourgoine!
I am one of the hostages.
Please.
Tell your...
You need to call up...
the President.
The President.
We're in a hospital.
Listen to me, please.
We're in a hospital.
Tell... the soldiers to stop attacking.
We're in Lamitan City.
People milling around...
could be hit by stray bullets aimed in one direction!
Sir! Why are you firing?
There are hostages inside.
- They may die! - Stay away!
We're following orders!
You can't stay here!
We're in the crossfire.
Yes, Sir!
All right. Ceasefire!
Here!
Is it over? What happened?
I don't know. I don't hear gunshots inside either.
Don't fire your guns yet.
Listen. Help the patients.
You get the patients. Bring them there.
- Do it now. - Keep your head down, Grandma.
Is it safe now?
- What if someone shoots us? - It's safe! Go now!
- You're sure? - Yes. Keep your head down.
- I'm scared. - I'll go out first.
Just take off your shirt.
Then wave it while you walk out!
- Stay there. - Are you sure?
Wait...
Take the kid with you!
Go on, don't be afraid.
I will guard him with my life!
Just pray, my son!
I love you, Owel.
- We're on duty. - You're coming, too!
- Not her, she has a patient. - It's an order.
- I said, move! - Joan!
What about the patients?
The Muslim nurses will take care of them!
You have to take care of our hostages!
Let's go!
Handcuff the two white men.
Tie up all the hostages.
Wait, let me check first.
Clear! Get out!
Hurry!
All Muslims and patients on this side.
Let them go.
All Christians on this side.
Christians, over here!
Follow me!
Muslims, you'll be safe here.
This way! This way!
Hurry!
That way.
Hospital cleared.
Do we start firing?
Who are they shooting at there?
Ma'am Jean...
Fanny...
Lolit...
- Why? What's happening? - Stay here.
You, keep going.
The three of you...
can go back.
- You're free to go. - What about my daughter?
Wait! I'm going to let you go...
so you can negotiate...
the release of the others, okay?
- Just follow that trail back. - What about my daughter?
We'll take care of her.
What about George? And the others?
Just talk to Edward once you get back.
- Where are we going? - Just follow that path.
- Come on, move! - Let me just talk to my daughter.
There's no need.
- Abu, you owe me one! - No time for that.
Please take care of Roselle...
- Go on! - Jessica and Emma, too.
Motasser!
Get lots of chocolates and candies!
You have money!
You pay for those! You pay!
The Abu Sayyaf are here!
Just belowus!
To the battle stations!
Militia! We're being shot at! Go up, quick!
Samuel, my sister's shot!
Don't leave me!
- Sophie, I'm hit! - John, where are you?
Haroon has been shot!
Hadji, help me!
Somebody help my husband...
he's been hit!
Carry him up!
Leave the couple behind!
Ask them if they need anything.
Do you need anything?
Hamed!
You look after the French lady.
Sanunu! Wajih!
- Master? - The two of you...
look after the three whites.
Cool! A lot of English then!
- Okay! Hey, Joe! - Mokhif!
Get my bag, there's money in it.
You're bleeding so much.
Sorry.
It's going to get better.
Calm down...
I'm good, I'll survive.
- The bleeding will stop. - Do your best.
He's going to lose a lot of blood.
Listen up!
We shouldn't linger here.
Listen!
We would like all of you...
to know about the 4 options for prisoners of war.
First: Kill them.
Second...
turn them into slaves.
Third...
convert them to Islam...
and allow them to live peacefully.
Fourth...
collect taxes from them...
and they can practice their own religion.
It is the same here as it is in any part of the world.
It is in the Qur'an.
Soledad?
Soledad, wake up.
Soledad!
Soledad! Oh my God!
- Please... She... - Help her!
Ma'am?
- She's dead. - No, she's not dead!
Soledad!
Sophie, please!
Do something, please!
Leave her.
It'll slow us down.
- We will not bury her? - No need!
Someone will find it and deal with it.
Let's go!
- Leave her! - No! I don't want to leave her!
- You have to! - I don't want to leave her!
I will stay here.
Please, don't touch me!
I'm a Christian and I want to bury her!
We are Muslims, we don't bury Christians.
It's not my fault if you are Muslims!
It's not our fault if one of you died!
We Christians, we bury our dead, okay?
Leave her alone!
I won't leave her!
Take her!
Come on, come on!
Leave me alone!
Shut up or I'll kill you!
I won't leave her like this!
Sophie, Sophie!
Don't fight anymore.
We'll pray for her.
Don't fight them anymore.
We go!
Therese, calm down!
Move! Let's go!
They'll take care of it!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Eternal rest.
God bless Soledad Carpio.
- Bees! - No, hornets!
Run!
Hurry!
How long did you know Soledad?
I've known her for the past five years...
since I first came here to work.
But, I don't know what I will tell her grandchildren. When I come back...
If we ever come back.
Jean and Lolit have fulfilled their promise.
They paid the ransom for Jessica and George.
That's good news.
We'll stay here for a while.
Let me see that.
I'll put alcohol.
Your wounds are starting to smell.
I'll give you magic medicine.
That's dirty.
His wound might get worse.
Are you a Tausug?
We're experts in the forest.
We know what to do.
It stinks!
Fred!
Yes, Sir?
Who among the nurses is still single?
Olive and Joan.
But they have boyfriends already.
Cindy's married and has kids already, Sir.
Call me "Maestro".
Yes, Maestro.
Wait...
There. There.
- May peace be upon you. - And upon you.
5,000 each, they were heavy to carry from the camp.
Give it to them!
Leave it all here.
We have to go, we're in a hurry.
Thank you.
George, give this to my mission if they get in touch with you.
- I'll take care of this. - Thank you.
What shall I tell Uncle and Auntie?
Tell them I'm okay.
If they want to send food, it's okay.
- Are you sure you'll be okay? - Yes, I'm okay.
- Be more careful! - Go, I'll be fine.
Don't worry, we'll work on your release.
I'll be fine.
George!
Go to Radio Agong when you reach Zamboanga.
Tell them Mindanao must be returned to the Muslims.
We will not stop until the government negotiates.
Or else, more hostages will be taken.
Sure, I will.
- Peace be upon you. - George?
Salam!
Make sure the military don't get hold of them!
Yes, Master.
God is Great!
- Peace be upon you. - And upon you.
- Are you Tausug? - Maranao.
- I'll carry the supplies. - I'll do it.
- You sure? - Yes.
Come on, we're in a hurry.
- This is for you. - Thanks.
- Want some? - Thank you!
- Do you like chocolate? - Yes.
My father used to bring some home for me everyday.
You must miss your father a lot.
Want some?
This looks delicious.
Master?
That nurse, the one with fair skin...
she has no husband or boyfriend.
You mean Joan?
I'd like her for my wife, too.
God is Great!
In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful!
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds!
Hey, don't step on it!
The Koran's right there!
I don't understand. Sorry.
Do you understand them?
I don't.
What unconditional surrender?
You're crazy!
Send your armies into the mountains...
and we'll see if they ever come out alive!
If that happens, shame on you!
Because you send them to die.
No!
It's either Malaysia, in 72 hours...
or one of the head of the whites.
I hope someone from my embassy or from the Philippine government...
is working on my release.
- Or for our release! - Yes.
You, Joe! Go!
Faster!
Move! Move!
- I want my shoes! - Ok!
Down!
Thank you very much.
Come. Somebody wants to see you.
Help me.
Babe, I'll be back in a while.
No!
No kill!
No please!
I want to see... my son!
That hurt, fucker!
Why are you holding Oswald's bag?
Have you seen Oswald?
He said he would be back!
He told me he would be back!
Authorities reneged
on the initial agreement to settle the crisis through peaceful talks.
According to Azali, the beheading is a gift to the President...
on the anniversary of Filipino independence.
I felt so sorry for her.
What's she going to do? She's on her own now.
What about us?
Keep on praying. Have faith.
Do you think the government will take it seriously now?
- They killed someone! - Keep quiet.
What more can it take for them to come rescue us?
LANTAWAN, BASILAN PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY
DAY 17- 12 JUNE 2001
Walk faster.
Come.
- Where are we going? - Come with me.
- Where are you taking her? - Let's go.
Come on.
- Venha, venha... - Joan!
Hey! Let's go!
Where are they taking her?
Joan... What happened?
Where have you been?
I was up the hill.
What's wrong?
What did they do to you, Joan?
Abu Saiyed told me about Islam.
And then he read me the Qur'an.
He said that...
I have to marry him.
I said that I would rather die than be his bride.
I have no choice.
I won't be able to do the same thing.
- Want to try? - No.
I don't.
All right.
It's not right, Roselle.
Your parents would tell you the same thing.
What's wrong about liking a nice guy like Molazem?
He's not a nice guy.
He's a bad guy.
That's what the military says about them.
They're just fighting for their homeland.
They haven't done anything bad to me.
But your parents must have sold everything they have
to pay your ransom.
And you say they haven't done anything bad to you. No...
How can you say that, Roselle?
Randy, Roselle...
They're coming.
The media and some officials are waiting for you in Zamboanga
to take you back to Manila.
They want pictures taken with you.
Go now.
Thank you.
Peace be upon you.
Thank you.
Take care.
I'm not even sure she wants to see her father again.
I don't know how to handle guns!
You know, a Muslim...
always needs to be armed.
A gun is like a wife, or a son.
You can't be without it.
But, Maestro, I'm a Christian.
We can send you to Allah Adzhar.
And when you return, you'd be an Alim and you can be a leader someday.
In the name of Allah!
This is the Book about which there is no doubt.
A guidance for those conscious of Allah...
Who believe in the unseen. Establish prayer.
And spend out of what we have provided for them.
And who believes...
in what has been revealed to you...
Do you think they understand what he's saying?
No, I don't think so.
You should worship God.
- You must fear Him. - It's God's will.
You may now go to your bride.
TIPO-TIPO, BASILAN ABU SAIYED AND JOAN'S WEDDING
DAY 46 - 11 JULY 2001
Allah Akbar!
Get all their weapons!
Look at us!
Handsome!
Son-of-a-bitch!
Master, do I look like an actor?
So how are things here in the forest?
Everything's fine here.
We'll bring the remaining weapons here.
Omar and Nur will help us.
- Peace be upon you. - And upon you.
This way.
- Oh, that's nice. - Thank you.
- You like it? - Yes, look it's sparkly.
It's beautiful.
- And this is beautiful too. - Thank you.
- Go back to our hut. - I'll go when I want to.
If you want this kid to be healthy you should let me go.
I can't eat properly here.
- Take these provisions. - Thanks.
- Take care of your baby. - Bye, baby!
Jo, tell my father I'm going home soon.
Take care of yourself...
and your baby.
Goodbye.
Help, it's itchy!
- Why are you wearing that? - "Maestro" gave it to me.
Maestro gave this to me.
And he started calling me "Abu Abdul".
And what did you say?
Nothing.
- Do you think I have a choice? - No.
No, you don't have a choice.
You are an Abu Sayyaf member now.
You're a terrorist.
You shouldn't even be here with us.
Why are you here?
God is Great!
Shoot them!
Help us.
Wait!
Fred!
Wait for me, please!
Wajih, get up!
Run!
Hamed, come here!
It's not the gut. You'll make it!
Protect your leg.
Thank you.
In the name of Allah, The Gracious, the Merciful!
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds!
The Gracious, the Merciful!
Master of the Day of Judgment!
Thee alone we worship.
And implore for help.
Guide us on the right path.
The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings
Not of those who have incurred Thy wrath
Nor of those who have gone astray
Amen
From Me you have come
To Me you shall return
John! Come here! Listen to this!
MALUSO, BASILAN WORLD TRADE CENTER
TWIN TOWERS ATTACKS
DAY 109 - 12 SEPTEMBER 2001
8:30 Tuesday night President Bush...
delivered a speech about the tragedy...
Something terrible has happened.
Muslim terrorists have flown 2 planes into the World Trade Center...
in New York City.
- What happened? - People are dead?
- I don't know. - The World Trade Center?
Muslim terrorists have flown 2 planes into the WTC in New York City.
They're attacking America?
I don't know.
The World Trade Center?
- They just said that on the radio? - Yes.
- People are dead? - Many people are dead!
Can't you hear Can't you hear it?
Will this change our situation?
Not at all, Ma'am!
Regardless of the situation...
in fact, there's many negotiation for your release.
For 3 million dollars.
God is Great!
Please, don't! Don't!
Please!
Help me!
Olive!
What did they do to you?
Abu Mokhif...
forced me...
to marry him.
He can't marry you because you are married!
I'll never see my children again!
I want to see my children!
He asked me to go with him to the camp.
You can't do this to her!
Please! Leave me alone!
You can't do this to her! Ok?
Now you listen to me!
You can't force a woman to marry you like a slave!
Look at me!
No, please!
Let me talk to him!
Please, Therese...
Do you hear me?
Look at me!
I am new emir!
I can do whatever I want.
Even kill you now if I wanted to.
Please!
Just try to kill me.
Ok?
Try to kill me!
- Ok? - Calm down!
- Kill me!
Armin!
- You've gotten so thin! - You old scoundrel!
This is my good friend, Armin.
Get him water. We've a visitor!
How's everyone?
Is he the one you've been telling us about?
- Yes! - This place is far!
Sit down!
SUMISIP, BASILAN PROOF OF LIFE
DAY 183 - 25 NOVEMBER 2001
The reporter I came with knew who could help find you.
- Have a drink. - Thanks.
- How's your mother? - She's doing great.
What happened to your hair?
John, Sophie, allow me first to introduce myself.
I'm Arlyn de la Cruz, from Manila.
I'm a journalist for Net 25...
it's a TV station in Manila.
I won't even attempt to ask you how it was in the last 7 months, but...
I know that you have a lot of things to say.
I'm here to hear what you have to say.
Well...
we're not coping.
We're not coping at all.
I'm not coping.
I miss my children...
I miss my family...
- I feel abandoned. - We have each other.
We have nothing, John! Nothing!
Nobody is rescuing us.
Other hostages have gone.
Other hostages have been released.
We feel abandoned.
We're chased like animals.
- Calm down. - We're shot at. We're chased.
Who's doing anything? Who?
In the last 7 months...
there were reports about several rescue operations.
Rescue operations?
No one's rescuing us!
They want to kill us.
They know where we are!
We see the helicopters...
or the planes. We hear.
We hear the gun shots!
If they can shoot at us, why can't they rescue us?
Have faith.
We will be rescued.
No one is looking for us to get us.
All they want to do is to kill our captors.
And if we die, in the meantime, nobody cares.
Nobody.
You tell your government...
to do something.
You tell them to stop shooting at us and rescue us!
If you got hear and you can talk to us...
how come no one's rescuing us now?
- Calm down. - I can't calm down!
- Be patient. - Patient? 7 months, John!
God will help us.
7 months!
The Philippine people don't care about us.
Otherwise, somebody somewhere would be doing something.
My friend Soledad died.
She died a few months ago already.
And of course...
of course no amount of money can now ever...
pay any ransom for her death.
We have put so much...
hope...
and faith into the...
into the... the Philippine...
troops from government...
to rescue us.
But I have the feeling...
I have the feeling that...
the Philippine government is doing nothing...
is doing nothing to to rescue us.
And that's a mystery to us.
And I would...
also like to say that...
I mean...
- A message for your government? - Yes, thank you.
I'd like to tell my children that I...
that I'm thinking of them...
My daughter.
And my sons.
And... their father.
And my friends.
This is taking very long and...
I mean, is there anybody in this country...
to remember us?
It is long.
They're really best friends.
Why don't you stay here?
I hope you continue praying.
Don't lose the faith, ok?
- Thank you. - You're going home.
I'd like you to have this. Please take this as a gift.
Thank you.
- Can I ask you something? - Sure.
Do you have anything to keep my hair up?
I know.
I have a clip.
This is for you.
- But it's yours. - It's ok!
- I can buy any time. - Thank you.
I have to go.
Keep on praying.
Don't lose hope.
It's your family?
All gone now.
So what's 500 divided by 5?
Jack, solve it.
Good morning!
Good morning, Sir!
May we rest here a while?
And perhaps have some water, too?
Of course. Children...
what do we say to visitors?
Good morning, visitors!
Good morning.
Come on, sit here.
Give them seats!
Get those benches in the corner.
Bring them here.
Sit down!
See...
Try to do the same.
You want to write?
That's "you"!
You.
That's good.
It looks nice, eh? You like to shoot, too?
You want me to teach you?
It's big.
This sword is sharp.
So you finish? You do it, ok?
Hamed. Hamed?
Why don't you join us?
- Come with us. - No.
Why not?
Hamed, tell me.
Why don't you come with us?
I am at school when...
my family were dead.
I'm sorry.
For me?
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Hurry up!
Faster!
Here's something for your trouble.
Thank you.
Yes, Sir! We accept a ceasefire.
But we still want Malaysia to mediate.
If you can do that, Sir, we will release 3 girls.
As a token of good faith.
Yes, Sir.
Ok, Sir.
Bye, Sir!
Don't take your veil off until you reach town.
So you won't be mistaken for a Christian.
I'll pray for you.
Are you leaving too?
Thanks.
Let's go.
Abu Omar has abandoned us.
He has taken his third wife.
And the problem is, all negotiations under him are broke down.
But the good news is...
the "proof of life" that the media person has taken here...
has increased the interest of the negotiators.
Many are willing to pay.
Now, that's the good news!
So?
Does that mean we're gonna be released?
Released? No!
We are going to ask for more.
30 million pesos more.
Why?
- Why? - Yeah.
- To pay your debt. - What do you mean debt? What debt?
For squatting in our homeland.
That's too small.
We go this way.
Here.
Let's put it this way.
Why are you still here?
Your loved ones are not paying ransom.
Why?
Our government doesn't pay ransoms.
That's the problem, John!
Your government!
They're blocking your loved ones to ransom.
That's the problem.
Why are you still here?
Don't blame us.
Why are you miserable?
Don't blame us! Blame your government.
ISABELA CITY, BASILAN NEW YEAR'S DAY
DAY 220 - 1 JANUARY 2002
Hamed. Come here.
You want some?
Yeah?
It's good, no?
So how many...
New Year's Eve have you already spent here?
In the jungle...
- Two. - Two years?
So, you were...
You were 10, here, the first time?
Yes, 10.
You?
How do you spend your New Year?
In my country?
We do fireworks...
we say, "Happy New Year!"
We kiss each other like this.
Doing a kiss to everybody.
Happy New Year! Happy New Year!
Oh, look. There is a big ant here.
I don't like ants.
You wouldn't like to spend the New Year's Eve... without ants?
Not in the jungle?
One day, no?
- I don't know. - You don't know?
The jungle is...
my home.
You like to shoot? Yes?
Shoot the gun?
And...
And they teach you how to save your life?
Not being shot by the soldiers?
- Yes. - Yes? They teach you this?
I am a warrior.
I fight the enemy.
If I die in jihad, I can go to heaven.
You're sure you can go to heaven?
- I go to heaven. - You believe in heaven?
- Yes. - Yes?
- It is in the Qur'an. - Yes, but you are sure that...
if you shoot your enemy, you will go to heaven?
You won't go...
to hell?
No?
You want to shoot a gun?
- Me, shoot the gun? - Yes.
I'm not sure. No.
Just do it like that...
and then you aim, and then you fire.
- Want me to do it? - Want to try?
I can try.
It's heavy.
Yes, it is heavy, my God!
Then you aim.
- I aim... - At that.
Yes, that's for sure.
I'm not gonna aim at my friends.
And you pull.
Oh, my God!
That's very loud for the ears!
It's ok for your ears?
I'm used.
Yes, but it's bad for your little ears.
You have baby ears.
It's very loud.
You want to sleep here?
Yes.
Salamat.
I said it right, no?
Want to sleep on my lap?
- You comfortable like this? - Yes.
So, you have kids?
Yes.
I have 3 kids.
3 kids?
I have one daughter...
and I have two sons.
What are their names?
You!
Where are you going?
- I'm not going anywhere. - Move!
Move!
Hamed.
Move!
SIRAWAI, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE MINDANAO
DAY 377 - 7 JUNE 2002
I think I'll sleep on the hammock tonight.
Therese, want to get your hammock?
John's sleeping in his.
No, I think I'd rather sleep on the ground.
- Sure? - Yeah, sure.
Beware of the ants!
Hamed...
Next week, they'll be paying the ransom.
Then I can buy a new engine for the boat.
Hamed, you want to bring me my scarf, please.
Thank you.
Soldiers!
Soldiers! Come on!
No!
Sophie, he's dead!
Someone help me!
Sophie!
- My gun! - No, you don't get your gun!
- Help him, he's been shot! - Come on!
He's my husband!
Come on!
Come with us!
Hamed! No!
Hamed!
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