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Abductors threatened to behead me many times - cameraman


MANILA, Philippines – Freed ABS-CBN cameraman Jimmy Encarnacion on Wednesday recounted his harrowing experience at the hands of his abductors, saying they threatened to behead him many times. Encarnacion and veteran journalist Cecilia Victoria Oreña-Drilon arrived in Manila from Zamboanga City shortly after noon Wednesday and briefly entertained questions from the media. The two were accompanied by Sen. Loren Legarda and driver Angelo Valderama, who was freed earlier by the abductors. "Oo, maraming beses na gusto nila akong pugutan. Itatali ka nila nang ganun. Kapag (lumampas daw sa) ultimatum, papatayin daw ako (There were many instances they told me they would cut off my head. They tied me and told me that if the ultimatum expires, they would kill me)," Encarnacion said. "Maraming beses na akala ko katapusan ko na. Tinali na kami…nakakatakot na experience (There were many tmes I thought we were going to die. We were tied. It was a frightening experience)," he added. In describing their abductors, Encarnacion said they numbered to more than 20 men and their ages were wide-ranging. "Halu-halo sila. Puro lalaki sila. Hindi ko mabilang, kasi iba’t ibang mukha ang nakikita namin. Basta more than 20," he said. Drilon, Encarnacion and Valderama were seized along with Mindanao State University professor Octavio Dinampo on June 8 in Maimbung town in Sulu. Valderama was released on June 12 while the remaining captives were freed shortly after midnight Tuesday. As of posting time, Drilon, Encarnacion and Valderama are undergoing a medical checkup at the Medical City Hospital in Pasig City. - GMANews.TV
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