Philippine President Joseph Estrada (C) meets reverend Wilde Almeda, lying on a stretcher, at the presidential palace in Manila October 3, 2000. Almeda, a born-again Christian spiritual warrior of the Jesus Miracle Crusade (JMC) and his eleven followers were rescued by the Philippines troops after being held by Muslim extremist Abu Sayyaf group in the outskirts of Jolo island in southern Philippines for more than three months. At left is Senate President Franklin Drilon, at right is Defence Secretary Orlando Mercado.