Schilling recounts days in Abu Sayyaf captivity

An American who was held hostage for nearly eight months by the Abu Sayyaf group in the southern Philippines in 2001 faced the media and gave details of his harrowing experience.

"I was hogtied like a pig," explained Jeffrey Schilling of Oakland, California.

"It was not a kidnap-me kind of abduction, I did not go there to sell arms." "I was made to appear as if I was their assistant who was carrying their weapons," said Schilling.

It was in response to earlier reports which quoted civilians in Jolo as saying that he was carrying rifles as if he was part of the hostage-takers.

Many observers said Schilling should not have been too defensive since the military said they believed he was a victim, when he was released in April 2001.

Earlier, there was speculation that Schilling went to the lair of Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya in Jolo in September 2000 as his wife Ivy was the second cousin of Sabaya.

In April 2000, Schilling married his wife after a brief cyber-courtship from January to March 2000.

Nobody asked him about the fate of his wife who has links with the Abu Sayyaf Group. It was the first time that Schilling was allowed to speak about his experience in captivity.

Last year, when he was released, he was presented to the media but he was not allowed to say anything.

Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said the presence of Schilling will strengthen the government's case against the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Sources said American missionary Gracia Burnham will also return to Manila to testify against the Abu Sayyaf Group whose members were charged of kidnapping in several lower courts in Metro Manila and in the south.

When asked for more details, Perez said he would not give more statements for the protection of Burnham.

Many were surprised that Schilling was brought to Manila to testify against Hector Janjalani, the brother of Abu Sayyaf Chieftain Kadaffy Janjalani, during a trial for kidnapping last Wednesday.

Hector Janjalani was arrested in Manila for selling to the foreign press a video-tape which showed Schilling being hogtied while under custody of the hostage-takers.

He is also facing charges of murder and drug possession.

Schilling identified his captors as the young Janjalani including other major Abu Sayyaf leaders, when he was presented pictures of the hostage-takers.