Former Abu Sayyaf hostage pregnant

Reina Malonzo, freed woman hostage of the Abu Sayyaf who was abducted from Basilan five months ago, is three months pregnant.

Deputy Chief of Operations for Southern Command, Col Francisco Gudani, who made the announcement, said: "Malonzo has become emotionally attached to Abu Sayyaf leader Khadaffy Janjalani. It is why we are having difficulty getting information from her. The authorities say she is suffering from Stockholm Syndrome."

Gudani was referring to a psychological situation where a hostage becomes sympathetic to the abductor. But he did not explain if Janjalani was responsible for Malonzo's pregnancy. He also did not reveal if her pregnancy was the reason why the Abu Sayyaf brought her to Zamboanga, from nearby Basilan Island, for her release on November 1.

When presented to the press, she was quiet and did not say anything negative about her experience as a hostage. At that time, she did not say she was pregnant. The authorities were also not categorical in stating whether she had escaped or was rescued.

Abu Sayyaf leaders abducted Malonzo, a nurse by profession, from the hospital in Basilan on June 2. Malonzo was apparently 'forcibly married' to Janjalani sometime during her five months as hostage, said Armed Forces Spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan earlier.

At the same time, sources said Janjalani merely took her as a wife so that the other Abu Sayyaf members would not rape her.