SUGARKLED

Sdlkoz

Veteran broadcast journalist Ces Drilon and cameramen Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama arrived in Manila Wednesday afternoon after they were released by kidnappers in Sulu.

“Lubos na nagpapasalamat kaming tatlo na nakaapak kami ng Maynila na magkakasama. Si Angel at saka si Jimmy. They were the best guys to be with while in captivity I wouldn't have survived. Nagpapasalamat ako kay Loren she was a lifeline to us lalo na nun parang ang dilim-dilim na ng hinaharap namin,” Drilon said, who spoke on behalf of the group.

"We had no idea noong nasa gubat na marami pa lang nagdadasal, nagmamahal, sumusuporta sa amin habang nasa kadiliman kami at hindi alam kung mabubuhay pa kami. Of course to ABS-CBN, mga kapamilya namin, we cant thank them enough,” she added.

The group arrived past 2 p.m. and held a 15-minute press conference at the tarmac of the Manila Domestic Airport. They then took a helicopter flight to a Metro Manila hospital for medical examinations.

Drilon recounted the times when the kidnappers threatened to behead Encarnacion and Valderama.

“Silang dalawa were threatened with beheading. Si Jimmy pa nga ang pakukunan nila ng beheading. Pero buo kami, walang sisihan, naging matatag kami, pag mayroong mahina pinapatatag namin ang loob. Walang sisihan na bakit ba tayo napunta dito. There was teamwork,” she said, adding that she sincerely apologized to her colleagues and felt accountable for what happened to them.

Encarnacion said that they were hit several times with an M-14 rifle. The kidnappers also threatened to cut their heads off.

“Maraming beses na narasan ko na parang katapusan na. Nandoon na 'yung tinali kami, pinapalo kami ng M-14. Maraming beses na gusto nila akong pugutan ng ulo. Tali ka, pag may ultimatum papatayin ka nila. Nakakatakot 'yung experience. Maraming salamat sa inyo sa lahat ng dasal ninyo,” he said.

Encarnacion said the group of kidnappers was composed of more than 20 people, both young and old.

“Halos karamihan ng gamit namin kinuha nila. Di ko mabilang kasi iba ibang mukha nakita namin. More than 20,” he said.

Drilon, her crew and their guide, Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo, were kidnapped on June 8 in Indanan, Sulu. They were on their way to interview a leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group when the abduction took place.

The victims said that the group that that was supposed to be the subject of the interview was the one that held them hostage.

Drilon, Encarnacion and the professor were freed late Tuesday night while Valderama was released last week.