MANILA, (ABS-CBN) - Evangelist Wilde Almeda, together with 11 members of his Jesus Miracle Crusade (JMC), thanked President Joseph Estrada at an emotional meeting in Malacanan Palace Tuesday for their safe release from the Abu Sayyaf group.
The 12 preachers were rescued in the jungles of Jolo, Sulu, late Monday afternoon.
Borne on a stretcher after suffering a stroke while in captivity, Almeda and President Estrada first met at the Rizal Room of Malacanang.
Recounting what he described as "a very emotional" encounter, Press Secretary Ricardo Puno said Estrada held Almeda's hand and stroked his hair as the evangelist expressed his gratitude with "great difficulty."
Lina Almeda, the JMC leader's spouse who was present during the courtesy call at Malacanang, told the President that evangelist "was thankful" for his rescue and that of his so-called prayer warriors, Puno said.
"After that we could see that the pastor was very emotional (and that) his condition was not very good," Puno said. "(Nevertheless) doctors pronounced him in stable condition."
When Almeda was brought to the Heroes' Hall, he was greeted with chants of "Amen, amen" from tearful members of the JMC. They also raised their hands in a gesture of thanks to the President.
Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Angelo Reyes said Almeda and his 11 followers arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City from Zamboanga City, their first stopover before the flight to Manila.
"He had difficulty speaking pero kinamayan ko. Sabi niya we could never repay you. Sabi ko sa kanya, pasalamatan natin ang Panginoon at ang Pangulo na nag-decision na mag-conduct ng operation at pasasalamatan natin angmga sundalo na nagpapawis sa field (He said they could never repay us. I told him to thank the Lord, and then the President for ordering the operations. I also told him to thank our soldiers who have been working very hard in the field)," he said.
Alvin Flores, one of the 12 erstwhile hostages, reported that Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang alias Commander Robot wants to turn a new leaf.
"Ngayon ang gusto magbagong buhay, yan ang gusto niya. Pati kasama niya pauuwiin sa tahanan, may pamilya, ari-arian, anak, asawa (Robot wants to live a new life. He also wants his men to go home to their families)," he said.
But, Reyes said that Robot's case is already a legal one and that he should be tried in accordance with Philippine jurisprudence and, if found guilty, to suffer the consequences of his illegal acts.
"We live in a community where laws prevail. And laws should be respected. We say we value human life, but the law is the law. People who violate the law will have to be punished so that the entire society will be protected. If he will say life is precious, indeed life is precious. But if that single life threatens lives of others, society and government have the duty to enforce the law to protect the greater good," Reyes added.
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