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Philippine President Happy Over Release of German Hostage
Philippine President Joseph Estrada expressed elation Monday over the release of a German woman hostage by the Abu Sayyaf, while reiterating the government's foremost concern that all captives be set free soon.
"I am very happy about this development," Estrada said in a press statement, after Renate Wallert, a German national, was released to government chief negotiator Robert Aventajado. Wallert is the third, and first European, to be released by the Abu Sayyaf. Two Malaysian nationals were earlier set free by the separatist group.
Estrada said the release of the three hostages is a vindication of the government's policy not to give in to the demands for ransom of the hostage takers while ensuring the safety of the captives.
"I believe that our patience and very careful approach to this hostage crisis is clearly paying off," the president said.
Estrada pointed out, however, that this is not the time for the government to lay down its guard, saying it still has to make careful efforts to work for the release of the remaining hostages.
"But we still have some ways to go. This is a very complex, delicate and difficult situation. Still, we are confident that with this development, we will be able to see all the hostages released safe and sound, and soon," Estrada said.
Wallert is expected to arrive in Manila Monday night from the remote southern city Zamboanga aboard a private plane. From the airport, she will be taken to a hospital for a medical checkup. Then, she will take a flight for Frankfurt, Germany.
The Abu Sayyaf snatched 21 persons, mostly foreigners, from a dive resort in Malaysia on April 23.
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