Trauma in jungle captivity-a

former hostage speaks

Reading the Solomon Star issue No. 1460 September 30, my attention was drawn to its front-page story headlined

“Alebua Urged To Plea For

Hostages”.

It brought a flash memory into my mind, fully remembering my teen life in the Philippines jungle, when I was held hostage and captive by the CHDF (Civilian Home Defense Force), notorious armed thugs of the Marcos Martial Law regime.

I was taken hostage - for almost three agonising long months - for being a suspected supporter of the then “Kabataang Makabayan” - an association of youths from both the students and peasants who opposed the martial law regime of Ferdinand Marcos.

I still remember how my captors used to tie my hands in my back and let me roll in muddy ricefields when it was

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raining, and stand in an open field under the sun with nothing to eat or drink.

The suffering still lingers in my mind when I read about the incidents happening now in the Solomons. I cried for those innocent people just as if I was the one still being held in captivity.

I know how Peter Tahani, Jason Fioga, Johnson Laumanu, Akwai, Davies Reykol, Olomea, David Aro, Riiagalo, George Bibira, Pati Ladomea, Rex Maenukua, John Bira, Takankwao, Andrew Kofela and Makasi felt being held captive by those roving Gwale Militants whom I am sure are being manipulated like robots by their leaders like what Marcos did to my captors then.

The only difference between their and my experiences is that I was held captive by a group attached to the Philippine Government’s military - like what happened in East Timor - while the Solomon Islanders are being held hostage by group(s) of militants with unknown motives and agendas.

What are these Gwale Militants fighting for? I thought they already agreed to a peace deal with the Solomon Islands government.

The worst thing that can happen to you is to be held captive - against your will, without knowing if your captors will kill you right there and then, or if you will be freed unharmed in the next couple of hours.

One of the greatest sorrows of human existence is that some people aren’t happy merely to be alive but find their happiness only in the misery of others.

For almost three months in captivity, I experienced all sorts of punishment imaginable - where I suffered trauma or “emotional shock”. I was freed, not by my captors, but, by the very people whom they suspected I was supporting - the Kabataang Makabayan and their very own people’s army.

I will not be surprised if these Malaitans held captive by the Gwale Militants suffer similar trauma to mine, and are freed by their own people.

After these Malaitans are freed, what will the health Department, the Red Cross

and the NGOs do to help them regain and reconnect their lives?

How would one go about treating over a dozen people for post-traumatic stress? The difficulties involved are considerable - especially in chronic cases or where the person in question doesn’t want to be treated.

It is difficult to know even where to begin, given “patients” with various personalities. Such a task may actually be

impossible.

But perhaps they can heal themselves and one another individually, at least to some degree, and thereby plant the seeds of a new sane and biologically benign culture.

In order to do so, it would seem vital that the government agencies concerned familiarise themselves with what is presently known about trauma treatment and recovery.

How will these people respond?

Accordingly, victims of human-induced disasters often show more stress then victims of natural disasters because of the perceived need to find parties to blame.

Whatever the eventual circumstances, it seems that groups in differing geographic areas, and in differing economic conditions, will react in dissimilar ways.

In the case of a breakdown in communication and control, those who are more dependent on high tech will likely suffer much more than those who are still somewhat accustomed to locally filling their basic needs.

Over the short term, we are likely to see acts of extraordinary heroism alongside extreme examples of opportunism and stupidity. But what about the long-range

prognosis?

As a former hostage myself, I’m willing to share my experience and the technique I personally used in recovery which is to leam to feel my repressed grief and rage as well as my repressed joy.

The fact that we are now coming to understand how the human psyche typically deals with trauma is cause for hope: Perhaps a significant number of people will experience civilisation’s crisis as a catharsis that will reach all the way to the roots of our ancient, irrational fear of nature, and help

us learn to live in peace with the world, with one another, and with ourselves as I experienced a year after my release from

captivity.

I understand from some information that reached me through the grapevine that these Malaitans held hostage by the Gwales are still alive even though their state of being and health are said to be unknown.

To those militants who are holding these people against their will, I beg you to

show mercy and charity by unconditionally

releasing your hostages as they are innocents.

I am willing to be an intermediary for the release of these hostages, if needed, being a neutral person.

To the militants, the greatest achievement of whatever you are fighting for is to release your hostages unconditionally at the earliest possible time as an act of charity that will be remembered well by the people of Solomon Island, your very own people. Charity begins at home, and I’m quite sure that charity will win the hearts of thousands.

Ramon Jim Quitales

Honiara, Solomon Islands