The Abu Sayyaf was just as excited because the situation is not favorable to them, too. Like their hostages, they were also suffering from hunger. In fact, some of them will ask permission for a sort of a day's off and never came back. Some even went AWOL.
As the promise seemed to be true, they 'mobiled' and moved towards the place where they had been instructed. I guess by this time, all of them, captors and hostages, were hopeful that this will be the end of their ordeal. Then, as they moved, the news of the 9/11 bombing came. For some reason, I never read anything about it anymore. They continued to move only because they are avoiding being tracked down by the AFP, but now, not towards the agreed location.
They got through the end of the Muslim Ramadan season and spent Christmas sleeping somewhere in the woods. Gracia said that in the States, it was a custom that people ask each other how's their Christmas after the day.
"Yes, Martin and I had a good Christmas. Why? (1) We had something to eat, and (2) We didn't have to pack up and hike. In our minds, that made the day positive."Eventually, the promise of ransom was said to have fallen apart. But I guess it's not a surprise for any of them at all.
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