The Inside Story

This is part one of a three-part series from Msgr. Desmond Hartford’s Diary while he was taken captive in Mindanao. Rebel returnees, who were overdue their payment from the Government, kidnapped the intrepid priest in the hope of pressuring g the government, Fr. Hartford tells the day to day odyssey in his own words.

Monday 27 October

This morning when Fr. Rufil and myself reached the beach we were told that the rest of the group were waiting for us in a school above the town. When we  arrived we were put into a jeepney and driven for about 30 minutes into the mountains. Here Fr. Rufil was released and sent back to negotiate with government officials. I was to be kept hostage until the demands were met. We walked for about two more hours. My eight captors are heavily armed. One shot a wild bird which we ate with some rice. Then I asked them to allow me time to pray. We talked in Visayan and Mindanao. They are friendly. I feel peaceful, without fear. But numbed by the experience of betrayal.

Tuesday 28 October

We spend today in a house. I was able to send a note to Fr. Rodrigo Sebial telling him of my position and welfare. My captors told me they are demanding 13 million pesos from the government. I have my bag and so am able to read my breviary and I also have my little radio. I heard the BBC World Service News from London. The local Ozamis radio said nothing about me. The food today was rice without salt. I made two requests, that I be given time to pray and given boiled water to drink. I fell asleep around 7:30 p.m. but was wakened at 9 p.m. by a commotion. Some of those who had gone to town had returned saying the army had been mobilized. We hiked a further 30 minutes into the mountains and set up camp in an opening in the forest. My captors prepared a makeshift shelter for me, a few planks of wood covered by leaves of nipa palm. It is a starry night, millions of stars in view. It reminds me of God’s promise to Abraham. Having to move location and sleep in the open makes me apprehensive. However I sleep until it begins to rain. I am amazed how well the makeshift hut keeps the rain out.

Wednesday 29 October

Breakfast: coffee, rice and sardines. On the move again. Three armed men in front, two with me and three behind.  The mountain is slippery. At a house on a plateau we hear that negotiations are underway. I am able to wash and shave in the river. Then a good meal of rice and chicken cooked in coconut milk. Some of the group watch lest the army would enter. My greatest apprehension is that the army and police may try to ‘rescue’ me without waiting for negotiations to finish. We are on the move again with just four armed men. The cornfields are high enough to conceal us. We came to a small hut where they intended to stay hut but a swarm of bees had already made their home there. One of the men was stung so we moved on. We met a number of people on the trail. They were warned that if they told anyone about our whereabouts they would have their brains blown out. At about 3 p.m. we came to a house and rested. The people received me kindly and serve us a nice meal. The man of the house prayed and I took the opportunity to say Evening prayer. We came back to the edge of the village and hid in the coconut trees. The mosquitoes are savage. At nightfall I was taken into the village. Many people came to have a look at me. On the move again. Eventually we came to a small hut in the forest.  I insisted that one of the group go back to the village to get a mosquito net.

They were reluctant to do this but I warned them that if I got malaria and died that they were for the firing squad of the other commanders. Eventually the net arrived. A tiring day. My captors have treated me as kindly as possible. The words from Morning Prayer, Romans 8: 35-37 give me some courage.

" I am coming to realize the importance of being positive,
being strengthened by God's love rather than feeding on the rising resentment
inside myself about being kept captive."

Thursday 30 October

From the early morning BBC I learn that Ireland dew the Belgium. As dawn broke one of my captors looked through my mosquito net and enquired id I had already contracted malaria. It is important to retain a sense of humor at times like this. My new home is a hut about 6 by 8 feet with galvanized roof and sides of leaves. Breakfast: dried fish and rice. We went to the river to wash. I have only a tiny piece of soap left so I cannot was my clothes. Shortly after noon the rain began and continued until nightfall. I spend the time trying to keep the water from seeping into my bed. My guards, except one boy of about 13, are men in their early twenties, mostly poor. Conversation is limited to their poverty of life in the mountains. Sex is also a major topic, particularly their fantasies of marrying beautiful white women. Religion is also a topic but none of this group actually prays in public. This evening news came that Aleem Elias Macarandas is in the nearby town of Tangkal, as a part of the negotiating team. I am happy to know that. I am coming to realize the importance of being positive, being strengthened by God’s love rather than feeding on the rising resentment inside myself about being kept captive.

“I am coming to realize the importance of being positive, being strengthened by God’s love rather than feeding on the rising resentment inside myself about being kept captive.”