On June 19, 2001, the brother who assisted in the construction of a water conservancy project in Philippines was kidnapped by locals. As soon as the news came out, it immediately attracted strong attention from Chinese people around the world, and the family was in chaos. They expressed their efforts to rescue the hostages safely. As the younger brother of the kidnapped Zhang Zhongqiang, in order to rescue my brother as soon as possible, I crossed the country to save my brother alone. Unexpectedly, not only did I not rescue my elder brother, but I was also trapped by the kidnappers for 69 days and suffered all the torture...
Yibo Yuntian, crossed the country to rescue the kidnapped brother
My hometown is Fuqing City, Fujian. We are 8 brothers and sisters, and Zhang Zhongqiang is the boss. He has gone out to earn money since he was 16 years old, worked as a small worker on construction sites, and sent all his income home to subsidize his family. When he was 25 years old, he became a contractor and had a group of workers under him. I was 18 years old at that time and worked with my elder brother to earn money. Later, we had six brothers and sisters to settle down in Quzhou, Zhejiang. My elder brother and sister-in-law care about me very much. She always chooses easy jobs for me and teaches me to drive. Later, she asked me to learn how to design and master the technology. My elder brother often said, "I can't let my younger brothers and sisters suffer any more." Before I got married, my elder sister bought my clothes. If they were dirty, they would wash them. If they were torn, they would repair them. So I had a special relationship with my elder brother and sister-in-law.
In 2000, my elder brother took his engineering team to the Philippines with the power import and export company, responsible for the construction of the earth and stone project of the Marmar irrigation project.
On June 20, 2001, a friend who followed his elder brother to the Philippines suddenly called me and told me that on the afternoon of June 19, my elder brother was kidnapped while shopping for items in nearby Davao City. The owner of the car was a local. He was released by the kidnappers at 11 pm on the 19th, and at the same time he brought out the kidnapper's message: "In 4 days, they will call the construction site..." I immediately felt weak, and I was unwilling to call the construction site to translate the Filipino-Chinese Kobayashi. Kobayashi confirmed that the eldest brother was indeed kidnapped. My heart was cut by a sharp blade, and it was so painful that it shrank into a ball. The Philippines has poor security and there have been kidnapping of hostages. I didn’t expect this disaster to come to our home.
I immediately summoned a few younger brothers and sisters to tell them this bad news, and asked them to hide their ideas from their parents and sisters-in-law, and we should first find a way to save the elder brother. For the next 4 days, I waited by the phone all day long, staring at the phone in a daze. How I wish there was good news!
Before this, I would go to my elder brother's house every day to see if my sister-in-law had any help. But during those 4 days, I just asked my wife to visit my sister-in-law's house. On the third day, my sister-in-law thought I was sick, so she came to visit me. Because of insomnia for a few days, my eyes were red and swollen, and I looked like I was in a state of despair. My sister-in-law asked this and that with concern, and I quickly turned my gaze away and didn't dare to look at her. Every word of concern for my sister-in-law is like a whip of me. The wife who was standing by couldn't help it. Run to the bedroom and started crying. My sister-in-law is even more strange, so I had to lie that we have been having trouble these days. The kind sister-in-law immediately scolded me. I lowered my head, worried that as soon as I raised my head, tears of pain would roll down from my eyes...
As soon as my sister-in-law left, my wife and I hugged each other and cried bitterly. I swear, "I must let my elder brother come back safely!"
However, my elder sister-in-law still knew the news. When she learned that her elder brother was kidnapped, she was stunned and tears flowed down her face. She struggled to hold the armrest of the sofa, stood up slowly, and sat down weakly. I forced myself to calm down and comforted her: "Brother will definitely come back safely!" Then, I asked my wife to send her sister-in-law back.
After our brother and sister held a small family meeting, we told the two old men about the kidnapped brother and told them that even if we lose everything, we must rescue our elder brother safely. My father was much stronger than we thought. Although his voice was a little choked on the phone, he still endured the grief. I was quickly instructed to fly to the Philippines quickly, contact the Embassy in the Philippines and relevant departments of the Philippines, and try to rescue my elder brother.
On the afternoon of June 28, 2001, I took the tens of thousands of dollars raised from relatives and friends to board a flight from Xiamen to Manila .After arriving in the Philippines, we had contacts with the Embassy in the Philippines, relevant departments in the Philippines, construction site leaders, local Chinese and other relevant parties to understand the situation and discuss countermeasures. The Filipino construction workers on the construction site and the owner of the Davao accessories store transporting sand and stone to the construction site have all become my "informers". I set up a heavy reward, hoping to find some clues.
8:00 on July 7, there was finally news of the kidnapper. They asked the elder brother to dial Kobayashi on his cell phone: "Xiaolin, I am Zhang Zhongqiang." As soon as the elder brother said something, his cell phone was robbed by the kidnappers. The kidnappers proposed to exchange 40 million pesos (equivalent to about 7 million yuan) for hostages, and said with a tough attitude that it would not be possible to reduce a penny, otherwise they would be beheaded. I asked Kobayashi to translate my words to the kidnappers: My elder brother's value is far more than the number you mentioned, but our family will never be able to take out so much money immediately. I suggest that I will replace my elder brother as a hostage. Because the big brother has many relationships, he might be able to borrow so many pesos of ransom. The kidnapper agreed.
That night, I called my father. On the other end of the phone, my father was silent: for him, the palm of his hand was flesh, and the back of his hand was flesh. We are all his sons, and no matter who happens to him, it will be a heavy blow to him. It took a long time before my father choked up and said to me, "Whether to exchange or not is up to you brothers to decide. This is the matter between you brothers..." After speaking, I could only hear his old crying. I couldn't help but shed tears when I heard my father's cry for the first time. I comforted him: "Dad, don't worry, brother and I will definitely come back to see you alive!" My father calmed down his emotions and said in a trembling voice: "Remember, you are all my good sons, and I hope you both can be safe and sound."
19, the kidnapper called again. They disagree with the exchange of hostages. After that, the other party disappeared again. For a full 10 days, the kidnappers had no news. I returned to the construction site and moved into my elder brother's room. On the table was a family photo of his elder brother, and his shirt was still hung on the hanger, and his shadow was everywhere in the room. I was paced around the room like a trapped beast, and my head started to hurt when I thought that my elder brother was still in the hands of the kidnapper. I was spinning around the construction site with red eyes. Seeing an empty truck, I jumped into the cab, stepped on the accelerator, and the car rushed out like an arrow, rolling up a large stream of dust. The coworkers didn't stop me. I drove the car to transport sand and stone in the scorching sun, one after another, sweating all over, like a tireless construction worker on the front line. I use this continuous physical labor to numb my nerves to free myself.
On the 11th day, Kobayashi called me and told me that the kidnappers said that the negotiations would continue the next day. Next, we spent 9 days to negotiate with the kidnappers over the phone, and finally set a ransom of 8 million pesos (equivalent to RMB 1.4 million), and another 18 days to set a way and place for paying and releasing the people.
Because we are afraid that the participation of relevant Philippine departments will threaten the life of our elder brother, we dare not reveal these news. I privately asked local Chinese about the kidnappers' behavioral habits. A large amount of information tells me: after paying the ransom, the kidnappers will release people. This is the "industry rule" of the local kidnappers.
Just as I was hesitating, the kidnappers announced the situation of my elder brother through the media. In the video, he looked very tired and his face was swollen. Soon after, the kidnappers suddenly and frequently asked my elder brother to talk to me on the phone, at least twice a day. My elder brother told me that the kidnappers have become abnormal these days and regard him as a guest of honor. Not only did they not get beaten, but they also ate very well. The eldest brother said, "From these signs, the kidnappers mean to release people." I decided to pay the money to redeem them.
was detained and spent 69 days of non-human life
8-12 is the day to send ransom. My colleagues on the construction site expressed their willingness to accompany me. After discussion, Xue Xing, Wang Shengli, translator Xiaolin, and a driver and I went to carry out this difficult task.
However, when we came to the designated place as originally agreed, more than 30 kidnappers with guns emerged from all around. They appear malnourished, but they act very quickly and quickly encircled them. Kobayashi explained loudly in local dialect that we are here to redeem the hostages.The kidnappers rudely dragged us out of the car, snatched the money box, and then escorted us to march in a hurry. Along the way, we all took away all the watches, mobile phones and bags.
Faced with our angry questioning, a bandit leader named "Agon" said quietly that they had 5 brothers in the hands of the Philippine police. They hoped to lend Chinese people to pressure the Philippines and use us Chinese to exchange their people out. We fell into the trap of the kidnappers.
killer kidnapped us to walk in the mountains for several hours, arrived at a big lake, and then got us on a few canoe boats , and rowed into the depths of the lake. After about two hours, a high-legged house made of bamboo , reeds and thatch appeared in front of you. This is the kidnapper's den.
:00 pm on August 15th, when the kidnappers took us to transfer, I saw a boat in the reeds 80 meters away. Under the moonlight, there was a middle-aged man on the boat with a familiar back. I shouted "Big Brother" excitedly, and the middle-aged man turned around hesitantly. It was indeed the eldest brother. Xue Xing, Wang Shengli and Xiaolin all cheered: "Zhongqiang, Zhongqiang!"
At my request, the two boats slowly approached. I jumped and jumped onto my elder brother's boat. I held my elder brother's hand firmly, as if I was afraid of losing him again. With the moonlight, I found that my elder brother had lost a lot of weight. "Third brother, you have endured hardships for me!" My elder brother gently stroked my shoulders like he did when he was a child. This habit of action made me feel warm.
That night, the kidnappers placed the five of us together. We were in a mixed mood and joy and talked until dawn. True love is revealed in times of adversity, and the elder brother expressed his sincere gratitude to Xue Xing, Wang Shengli and Xiaolin with tears in his eyes. In the bandit den, I stayed with my elder brother for 3 days, which was also the last time my elder brother was with me. And at that time, we firmly believed that we had the opportunity to leave the bandit nest. During those days, I talked a lot with my elder brother, which gave me a new understanding of life and career. My brother blamed me for accidentally taking care of myself. It was a trivial matter to lose the ransom, but even the person was trapped in the devil's cave. I said to my elder brother, "Brother, if I can save you, I can even give up my life."
Three days later, with the sound of a rapid engine, three motor boats full of kidnappers carrying live ammunitions came towards us. We were taken on two boats by the kidnappers. My elder brother, Xue Xing and Wang Shengli boarded one boat, and Xiaolin and I boarded another boat. The brothers have been together for only 3 days, and now they are separated again. The future is uncertain, so why doesn’t it make people feel heartbroken? When I was parting, I hugged my elder brother and choked and said, "Brother, take care of me..." "Brother understands that we must work hard together after we go out. After saying that, my elder brother reminded me, "Remember, think twice before doing everything, and never act irritably. The kidnappers are not kind or righteous, and they are reckless. "After saying that, the eldest brother was still worried, and turned his face to remind Kobayashi, "My younger brother is a strong person, please watch him! "Then, the kidnappers forced us away.
carried the boat of the eldest brother, Wang Shengli and Xue Xing to the north and soon disappeared into the reeds. Xiaolin and I rode south on another boat. Who would have expected that this farewell, my brother would become strangers to Yin and Yang!
After that, I spent dozens of days of inhuman life "dance with the wolf". After separation from my eldest brother, Xiaolin and I were transferred to several places and were finally detained in three high-legged houses deep in the lake called " Pentagon " by the kidnappers. The living conditions here are extremely harsh, there is no paper, so I wiped my butt and washed it with water. The feces were pulled into the lake, and the lake water was used to cook. There was no toothbrush, so I could only use my fingers I dug randomly in my mouth; I didn’t have a cup, so I held water to rinse my mouth; I didn’t have a towel, so I wiped water to wipe my face. The mosquitoes here are big and long feet, and itchy, but they didn’t hurt to bite people. But I still insist on changing clothes every day, tenaciously maintaining some civilized habits, and living out my dignity. I also insisted on dipping my fingers in the lake water every day, and drew infrastructure design drawings on bamboo floor to prevent my thinking ability from deteriorating.
The kidnappers gave us two meals when they were happy, and they reduced it to one meal if they didn’t like it. And they would eat salt every day, and they would chew wax. They beat us without any reason. Thinking that my elder brother’s life and death was unknown, I had to endure their torture.
Late at night, I miss my relatives over and over again: my elder brother who is uncertain about life and death, my elderly parents, my friendly younger brother and sister, my gentle and quiet wife, my smart and cute three children, and my friends who share the joys and sorrows...
On September 25, Kobayashi was released from guilt. A bandit in charge gestured to me and said: The other three Chinese hostages have also been released. We are currently negotiating with relevant departments, and as long as we pay some ransom, we can release you. I let out a long sigh of relief. My brother has been released, and I have no more scruples. One morning, when a kidnapper hit me again, I finally couldn't help but fight back and knocked him to the ground. Several kidnappers rushed over and pointed guns at me, but immediately a bandit leader came to drive them away. I understand that I am very important to them and they dare not kill me easily. From then on, as long as any kidnapper bullies me, I will teach him a lesson until they dare not touch me.
eternal guilt, for the unsuccessful rescue operation
With the efforts of all parties, late at night on October 19, 2001. I was finally released after being trapped in the Demon Cave for 69 days. With the help of a Chinese female translator, the local relevant department asked me about some of the kidnappers' situation and brought photos of many people for me to identify them. I didn't cooperate well, and I couldn't explain the complicated feelings in my heart at that time, and I only cared about where my elder brother was.
I borrowed my phone from the female translator, but I couldn't dial the phone with my elder brother. Then I called the home and told my wife that I was released and told her not to worry. My wife choked and wanted to speak, but I was interrupted anxiously: "Where is my brother? Is it in my hometown or in Zhejiang?"
My wife is a woman who is not good at concealing herself. She cried on the other end of the phone, saying, "Brother was killed..." I, who had suffered various tortures and lost 10 kilograms in 69 days, did not shed a single tear, but at this time she was almost collapsed. With a bang, my mind went blank, my feet couldn't support my heavy body, and my knees knelt on the ground with a "bang". I came to save my elder brother with the heavy trust of my whole family, but in the end I "paid my wife and my army" was a great humiliation. I'm such a useless thing! Big brother, I'm incompetent, sorry, sorry...
It turns out that on the morning of August 19, a group of Philippine rescuers came to rescue him. They had a fierce gunfight with about 60 kidnappers. Wang Shengli escaped by chance, but his elder brother and Xue Xing died in a desperate battle between the army and bandits. I was isolated from the world and was kept in the dark by kidnappers.
I decided to turn my grief and guilt into strength and think of avenging my elder brother. In the afternoon of that day, I took the initiative to ask the relevant local departments to identify the kidnappers again. I picked out the kidnappers in the photo one by one. I am a building and have a strong sense of direction. On the map they showed, I found the approximate range of the bandit den. When I was doing all this, my mind was full of thoughts of avenging my elder brother. I said to them: "If you need me to come out and accuse the kidnappers, I will be on call; if the bandit suppression operation needs to lead the way, I will rush forward; if you allow it, I will participate in your encirclement and suppression operation."
html At noon on the 20th, I was sent to Manila, the capital of the Philippines. In the wall mirror of the bathroom of the Embassy in the Philippines, I saw my "respect" for the first time after I escaped from danger. I can't believe that the dark-skinned, unshaven and unsightly man in the mirror is me. In the end, Ambassador Wang's wife moved me, and she said, "No matter what, you must report your family safety. This is a must."
that night, I finally plucked up the courage and hung up my father's phone: "Dad, I'm sorry..." I cried out as soon as I opened my mouth, knelt on the ground, and apologized to my old father in the distance. My father also choked and said repeatedly: It’s good to be back, it’s good to be back. He didn't blame me, his comfort stimulated my tear glands, and I cried into tears in a short while. My sister-in-law also cried when answering the phone. She said, "You have to come back in full, and the brothers and sisters will depend on you in the future..." This sentence reminded me: sadness and guilt are meaningless, just like the elder brother said during his lifetime: a person is most likely to be defeated by himself.I was not defeated by the kidnappers, nor could I be defeated by myself!
I finally had the heart to cut my hair, shaved off my beard, changed my clothes, hung up my wife and told her that I decided to go home. My wife said gentlely, "I'm waiting for you at the airport." My tears came out again.
The embassy applied for a return visa for me within one day. Before returning to China, after thanking all the relatives of the embassy for their care, I asked the embassy to convey my two requirements to the Philippines: My elder brother serves the economic development of the Philippines and is a friendly envoy. I hope the Philippines will have a written statement; at the same time, the Philippines should find out the truth about the death of my elder brother as soon as possible to comfort my elder brother's spirit in heaven.
At 10:55 am on October 23, the flight I took landed on time at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport . Accompanied by embassy officials, I finally set foot on the land of my motherland. But I felt my legs were extremely weak and my chest was aching. From a distance, I saw a large group of people gathered at the exit, and their steps slowed down unknowingly, and their breathing became heavier. As I got closer, I saw my loved ones whom I was dreaming about, their excited and complicated faces, and the flowers in their hands. Wife, second brother, fourth brother... Tears silenced into my eyes, my vision blurred...
month, under the pressure of the powerful motherland and Chinese people from all walks of life, the Philippines finally adopted tough measures. In the "Pentagon" where my brother was detained, the kidnappers were basically eliminated...
