HELSINGIN SANOMAT international

Notes from the Philippine jungle - a hostage account

The following is a transcript of the notes made by one of the two Finnish hostages among the 21 Western tourists and Asians being held on Jolo in the Sulu Archipelago by Philippine Muslim separatists. The notes were written by Risto Vahanen, and he answers questions posed by a Finnish journalist, Rauli Virtanen. Virtanen handed the notebook to the doctor - Nelsa Amin - treating the hostages in the jungle, and she passed it on to Finnish diplomats on Wednesday. The text was sent to Finland by fax on Thursday morning, and the messages to relatives contained in it were immediately passed on. The notes were written in English, and were also freely available for the guerrillas to read before being taken out of the jungle and eventually sent to Finland. Fragments of text in italics are insertions by Helsingin Sanomat for clarity.

Risto Vahanen writes out answers to journalist Rauli Virtanen's questions
Risto Vahanen writes out answers to journalist Rauli Virtanen's questions

Rauli Virtanen: How did the kidnapping proceed?

The attack took place at 9 p.m. (on April 23rd) just after we were finishing our dinner. Everyone was taken by complete surprise by the attack, which showed skill and good planning.
   We were taken in two speedboats. Boat trip took 20 hours - cold, rain, burning sun. Everyone had only t-shirt and shorts to wear, but the hosts did what was to be done. We were short of drinking water and had no food.
   After arriving in Sulu at 5 p.m. the 24th of April (only later did we get to know where we were), we were fed and transported to the camp where we stayed until 2nd of May.
   Our hosts have treated us well considering the circumstances. Since the Philippine army was guarding a nearby river, we were short of drinking water and washing water which resulted also in diarrhoea among all of us. By collecting rain water and eating rice we have been able to keep in shape.
   The 2nd of May at 2.30 p.m. our camp was caught in crossfire between the Philippine troops and the Moro fighters. We had a narrow escape but our hosts did everything to bring us out of the fire unharmed.
   We were bombed with 4 hand grenades or bombs by the Philippine troops.
   What we want most is for the international community to do its utmost to make the Philippine government stop all military action and withdraw its troops. This incident will not be solved by the use of force. The reasons are so deep in history, and in the government's overlooking the local needs for development.
   After the attack we withdrew till 5 pm. and continued under cover of darkness till 10 pm. Then we had a rest, and continued the following morning to our present camp, where we have plenty of fresh water. We have been handed French army survival kits, some clothing etc., so the stomach problems have eased up.
   In the get-away no one was injured. Today 6th of May, Renate has been taken ill. We wish she would be handed over to the Red Cross as soon as possible. She has very high blood pressure and (has been) in shock for some time.
   The nights are very cold and clothing is not sufficient - so far no one has been taken ill. The most we fear malaria, since we don't have any medication. For the moment we are on alert to leave the camp since the Philippine troops are approaching. We just hope they have enough sense to keep a good distance otherwise they will endanger our well being and lives.
   The fight we had (on) the 2nd of May was really frightening, due to heavy shooting, stray bullets, and bombs which exploded quite near to us. We all fear a renewal of this.

R.V: How difficult are your living conditions?

Mentally these two weeks have been very difficult for all of us. The first days we were in shock, not quite realizing what had happened and why just to us. Little by little we have learned to live a day at a time, hoping for a quick release. In this the UN and OIC (Organisation of the Islamic Conference) are expected by our hosts to play an important role.

R.V. Can you describe the atmosphere and relations between the captors and captives?

All the time we have been treated in a most decent and friendly way. There has not been (any) hostility whatsoever; on the contrary, most of the hosts treat us in a friendly way. So the relations between the captives and capturers are good but formal - we have lost what is most precious for us, our freedom, in a struggle that is no concern of ours. What has been done to us cannot be justified.

R.V. What is your daily schedule in the camp?

05:30 Wake up.
06:00 Getting up.
07:00 Breakfast: tea, bread or rice. Washing up in the nearby river. Waiting.
1 p.m. Lunch. Rice and French survival kit supplies. Waiting.
2 p.m. Usually a heavy rain. Waiting and drying up.
6.p.m. Sun sets.
6.-7.pm. Dinner. Rice and survival kit.
8.p.m. Trying to sleep in the cold and damp.

We have made a shelter so we manage with the rain. Only the cold is unbearable.
   The news we have read in the Philippine newspapers doesn't give the whole truth so I hope critics (= I hope for a critical approach) in following the official Philippine news releases.
   Yesterday we were told that the foreign ambassadors are in Zamboanga and would come to our camp Sunday p.m. This morning we were informed the media would pay a visit to the camp today. We all hope the press and ambassadors would come to the camp at the same time, even if it needs high pressure on the Philippine government.
   The beauty of nature and support from each other gives us strength to come through this experience, if it doesn't take too long.
   Tomorrow is our 14th day in captivity and we all expect to be released early next week. If this doesn't take place (our) spirits will be really low, leading to more mental suffering.

What we need now is:

- warm clothing with long sleeves.
- rain shelters, mattresses.
- blankets or sleeping bags.
- kettles to make tea/water, cutlery, eye drops
- antimalaria, antidiarrhoea medicine, disinfection medicine (= disinfectant), an asthma inhaler.
- canned food
- soap, toothpaste
- bags to carry things
- campfire sets

Most of all we hope for a fast release, international pressure on the Philippine government to withdraw the troops now! The problems behind the capture have to be dealt with in an international forum.
   The Moro will not accept negotiations with the Philippine government unless (the) UN and/or OIC are involved. So far we have not been informed of the demands of the Islamic movement. There has been talk of demanding independence for the islands of Sulu and two other neighbouring islands or adopting Islamic law in the province of Sulu.
   I hope the demands will be published soon and (that they will) promote the negotiations.
   This would also mean the retrieval (= withdrawal) of the troops as a first step.
   All of us send regards to our nearest. We are in good shape save for Renate.
   6.5. 2000. Sulu. Somewhere in the forest.

Risto Vahanen

Victims identify with captors for their own security

Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 12.5.2000