Hospital security tight as freed hostages ask for privacy

MANILA, Philippines - Tighter security measures are now being implemented at the Medical City in Pasig City where the freed ABS-CBN news team spent the night in preparation for their medical check up on Thursday, GMA News reported. The television report cited an advisory issued by the Medical City Wednesday stating that released broadcast journalist Cecilia Victoria "Ces" Drilon is in good spirit when she arrived at the hospital Wednesday. Cathy Babao-Guballa, corporate communication manager of the Medical City, said Drilon requested that she be given time to rest, and that the tighter security in the hospital is intended to keep the patients' request for privacy. "She (Drilon) is accompanied by her immediate family members. The Medical City respects and values the privacy of its patients and requests the media to extend the same to Ms Drilon and her family," Babao-Guballa said in a media briefing. The television report said the freed television news team will stay at the hospital's presidential suite which has been readied days before the release of the kidnap victims. Drilon met her mother and other family members at the Medical City . The emotional meeting of Drilon and her mother was seen in a video footage provided by the ABS-CBN to GMA. The two were embracing even when they were inside the elevator. The report also said cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion, who is suffering from a cough, narrated their ordeal in the video. "Natutulog kami sa lupa, lalagyan lang ng sako, kahit umuulan, tapos gigising kami ng madaling araw, lilipat na naman kami, sabi may ibang grupo na kukuha sa amin. Walang pagkain, may pagkain noodles, hati hati, apat kami, saka isang platong kanin (We slept on the ground, using only a sack to protect our body, even if it was raining. The abductors would wake us up before dawn to go to another location as a separate group was allegedly waiting for us)," Encarnacion said. Drilon, Encarnacion, ABS-CBN driver Angelo Valderama and Professor Octavio Dinampo were kidnapped by members of Abu Sayyaf group on June 8. Valderama was released four days later. Negotiators said "hundreds of thousands of pesos" were paid for Valderama's board and lodging. The abductors set a June 17 noon deadline for the P15-million ransom for the freedom of the three. The ultimatum was extended indefinitely at least an hour before it ended. The three kidnap victims were finally released early morning of June 18. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV