KG from California Mafia attended a vigil held in honor of American hostage in Iraq Roy Hallums. If you missed the last post then you'll be happy to know that new evidence suggests that Roy Hallums is still alive in Iraq.

You can see more images from the vigil here.

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Yesterday was American hostage Roy Hallums' 57th birthday. A candlelight vigil was held in his honor in Huntington Beach, CA yesterday. Today, we learn that he is definitely still alive.

Do not give up hope. Remember, some of the hostages in Lebanon were held for years. The Hallums' familye-mailed me expressing their thanks to our Jawa Report readers for all your support. Keep the prayers and good vibes flowing people! Xinhua:

An American, who has been kidnapped with a Filipino overseas work in Iraq, is still alive, a Philippine foreign affairs official said Friday.

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This is VERY good news. Not only for the family of Robert Tarangoy, but because Tarangoy was taken hostage along with Roy Hallums. As you know, I've developed something of a relationship with the Hallums family. Keep Roy in your prayers, there is still hope. FYI--if you are in the Southern California area, there will be a candlelight vigil for Roy tomorrow in Huntington Beach. Details here. CNN:

Robert Tarongoy, a Filipino citizen taken hostage in Iraq almost eight months ago, has been freed, Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Wednesday.

In a phone interview with Philippines' GMA television station, an emotional Tarongoy thanked Arroyo, The Associated Press reported. "She did not neglect me," he said, also thanking diplomats who helped win his freedom.

Asked how he was treated by his captors, Tarongoy said, his voice cracking: "You know how long I was kept there. It was difficult," AP reported.

In a written statement announcing his release, Arroyo said: "Robert is now safe in the hands of the Iraq hostage crisis team led by [Foreign] Undersecretary Rafael Seguis who is making the necessary arrangements to bring him back to the Philippines."....

The AP also reported that Seguis told GMA that no ransom was paid and several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Jordan -- along with Muslim clerics -- helped secure Tarongoy's release.

Seguis said Tarongoy could be home as early as Thursday, according to the AP.

Tarongoy's wife -- in the Filipino city of Davao -- told AP her husband's release coincided with their third wedding anniversary.

"It's a very wonderful gift for both of us," she said. "I'm very happy."

The government of the Philippines secured the release of one of its nationals held hostage in Iraq after agreeing to set demands, the previously unknown armed group which claimed to have held him said, as reported b, Al-Jazeera television reported.

The Doha-based channel broadcast a videotape showing the hostage held by two armed men, reading what they claimed to be a statement by the Philippine foreign ministry, saying it has banned its nationals from travelling to Iraq and adopted a new law to punish those who disobeyed the order.

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I just got an e-mail from a friend if Roy's, Butch Conner, letting me know that a candlelight vigil will be held for American hostage in Iraq, Roy Hallums. Roy's daughter Carrie says, "It will probably be held in the Huntington Beach area. Please join us on this evening so we can show our support for my Dad and to let him know that we care! June 23rd is my Dad's Birthday, which is why we chose that day. He will be 57 years old."

We'll announce further details later or check Carrie's website here. If you're in the Orange County, CA, area it would be nice if you could show your support.

UPDATE: From Roy's daughter Carrie:

Hi Rusty,
We are going to have it next to the Huntington Beach Pier (off of Main
Street) at 6:45 on Thursday June 23rd. Thank you so much for your help! I
hope you are doing well!!
Take care,
Carrie

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