|
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Tarongoy kin distressed by $10M ransom
By Ben Tesiorna and Aurea A. Gerundio
* Father doesn't expect any group to willingly raise such amount but remains hopeful that Bobby will be freed
* Media interviews adding to distress of Tarongoy family, Owwa 11 chief says; some questions causing deeper depression
DAVAO CITY -- The family of kidnapped overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Robert Teodore "Bobby" Tarongoy is distressed over the huge ransom being demanded for his release and they do not expect such amount will ever be paid.
Tomas Tarongoy, Bobby's father, said they are not expecting the Philippine government or any other organization or individual to shell out $10 million (not $12 million as earlier reported) for his son's freedom.
Tomas is, however, still hopeful that his son would be released by the kidnappers with the help of the Muslim community all over the world.
He said the Muslim community in Davao promised to help him make a letter of appeal addressed to Muslim communities especially in the Middle East to help ensure the safe release of Bobby from the hands of his Iraqi militia captors.
"Manawagan na lang kami sa mga Muslim brothers natin na sana tulungan kami na mapalaya si Bobby kahit na di kami makapagbayad sa ransom (We will just have to make an appeal to our Muslim brothers for help on Bobby's release without having to pay the ransom)," Tomas said.
Several Dabawenyos earlier called the ransom demand as "barbaric" and many are one in saying that no ransom should be paid for Tarongoy's release.
Meanwhile, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Southern Mindanao Region (Bayan-SMR) wants the Tarongoy family to be featured in regular press conferences, while the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) 11 would prefer to spare the kin from further distress caused by media attention.
Owwa 11 chief Zenobia Caro, however, believes the lesser interviews the family will be subjected to, the better it will be for them in the long run.
Despite the daily psychosocial sessions being given to the parents of Tarongoy, Caro said that the family has not yet fully accepted Bobby's fate.
"Hindi na sila as emotional as before pero hindi pa rin nila fully na-accept 'yung abduction kay Bobby," Caro said.
Joining Owwa in conducting the sessions are representatives from the Department of Social Welfare Development 11, Davao City Social Services and Development Office and the non-government organization People's Foundation.
(November 11, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Drug abuse eyed in inmate’s death