Schilling is no spy-- US gov't

QUEZON CITY, (ABS-CBN) - The United States government claimed on Wednesday that the American national kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf bandits in Zamboanga City last Monday is not an agent of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The US government also reiterated its order for the victim's immediate and safe release.

"This is an innocent man. And there is not justification for taking him hostage and he must be released immediately," US consul general John Patrick Caulfield said in a press statement.

Defense secretary Orlando Mercado likewise said that Schilling is an Islam convert and is not affiliated with the CIA nor any agency of the US government.

"He is a convert of Islam and nagpunta dito para maghanap ng asawa (and came here looking for a wife). He's not connected with the CIA," Mercado said in a radio interview on Wednesday.

At the same time, the US government said it "strongly condemns" the latest kidnapping in the southern Philippines and is calling not only "for the immediate, safe and unconditional release of Mr. Schilling" but also that of the Abu Sayyaf's remaining hostages still being held in the bandits' lair in Jolo.

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