President Corazon Aquino met Monday with a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer and a Japanese aid worker who were released by Communist guerrillas last week in the central island of Negros after about two months in captivity.
"We talked about what I went through, and I thanked her for the help that the government provided in getting us released," said Timothy Swanson, 27, of Cheyenne, Wyo., who was held by guerrillas for 50 days.With Swanson was Fumio Mizuno, 36, training director of the Tokyo-based private aid group Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement. He spent 65 days in captivity.
Swanson and Mizuno were released separately Thursday in the rugged municipalities where they were kidnapped on Negros Island, 300 miles south of Manila.
The New People's Army, the 19,000-strong armed wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines, said the two were kidnapped on suspicion they were spying on the 21-year insurgent movement.
"I am thankful to (Swanson and Mizuno) for their help to our countrymen, and I told them many of our people are grateful for the work they have done," Aquino told palace reporters.
Swanson, who speaks the native Ilongo dialect, dismissed suggestions he went voluntarily June 13 with the guerrillas, some of whom were reported to be his friends.