holy crap man all you did was get into a cab and they did that to you what in the worl is the world coming too?

The detailed descriptions of feelings Greg gives really captured my attention. I could almost feel what he described. I found myself giving advice out loud on how to get that chain open with the spoon. I did say, double it up!
Wow, what a story. God has a way of showing us out of situations with hints, but it is up to us to put them to use by making wise choices at the right time.
I'm so glad to know you are well and are safe. Thank you for sharing your story. I still can't figure why some people can be so mean to their fellow man, no matter what they believe. Good luck to you!

Its good to know you are back safe. Did you see a difference in Joseph's eyes that would indicate that he would lead your escape? The livestock needle experience must have been the most pain you have ever been in. I cringe just thinking about it. I hope therapy works for you because that was a very traumatic situation for any one to be in. Don't feel ashamed about not trying to do something to help save your friend in the Phillipines. No matter how brave we pretend to be we are not trained to put ourselves in that situation and expect to be heroes. Fear probably saved your life that day.

I stayed up way past my bedtime to watch your story. I want my husband to see it also. I was wondering what Joseph told the gang about your disappearance in order to escape punishment? And the way the story was told, I am thinking that the cab driver had something to do with the kidnapping, that he was either an agent or was bribed to drive you there. Otherwise how would they know where to go to stop the cab? I am glad that your life has taken a turn for the better. You have much to give the world.

What ever happened to the guy who rescued him/you? Was he murdered or punished? I am truly touched that ALL God believers (Christians) stick together ;)

Wow. I am amazed. When i hear things like that, i imagine what it was like to go through that. I dont know if i could have done that. Joseph is a very special person. So are you. I am deff going to get that book....soon. 13 Days in Terror. woah. im only a kid. its alot to take in for me. 15 years old. i saw it last night at like, 3 am. its changed me i have to say.

This whole story is a hoax I think. Not one bit of evidence to support his claims of being kidnapped. He has however managed a living off this story according to Nat Geo’s own background info. on their site. Not only that, but he has a book about it “13 Days of Terror”, and is presently writing a followup.
Is it plausible…of course it is, it is a well known activity in the southern Phils, but then…any good ruse must be believable…right?
He never went to the authorities…no mention whatsoever of Remy or his family, the taxi cab driver…nothing.
There are so many unanswered questions…to many to list. I think he is a con artist and I’m sorry…this story just don’t hold water.

Hi Greg; I saw your story last night and I too was moved by your story. Also I like to add that I agree with you that the Philippines and its people are very nice and loving. My wife is a filipina and everytime I am there I am greeted often by strangers on the street just saying hello. And finally I am a fan of Lockeup Abroad and I try to watch it when I can. Any, congrats and good luck with you new life.

UNDERSTANDING ISLAMIC TERRORISM

The terrorist kidnappers in the Phillipines are among the most brutal in the world. Presently there are 4 groups. Most make their living by terrorism and hostage taking. They are:

The Moro National Liberation Front, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Abu Sayyaf and the New People's Army. The first three are Islamic groups that operate primarily in the south of the nation, where most of the country's Muslim minority live. The Communist New People's Army operates in the northern Philippines.

Any Westerner who travels in the Philippines must do so quietly without bringing attention to themselves. Jews have no place there at all. Christian missionaries are constant targets.

It is highly unlikely for hostages to survive, once they are taken. This was an unusual case. The evil of Islam will continue until liberals finally understand that their goal is the destruction of Western life, itself.

This is not a racist post. It is reality. Muslims have as their goal the replacement of the entire Western tradition, including its art and science, as bequeathed by the ancient Greeks, and especially the rights of females.

This battle will not go away just because we have a liberal in the White House. Until and unless he understands the threat of Islam, they will make mincemeat out of him, and us.

sanjosemike

Greetings my friend ~

First and foremost, I offer you tremendous blessings on what you have experienced. It is true, your "perspective" of life will never be the same, nor will those who hear your story.

It is most unfortunate to have to endure these life changing events in this fashion...and I am so sorry this was the case for you. As a healer, I counsel people on the whys and wherefores of these profound events that "rock our world". Some of the most loving, caring people, who have never done anything in their life to appear to "deserve" what we might find ourselve submerge in, have in reality, chosen to carry a heavier "karmic" burden in this lifetime in order to facilitate global healing for the Greater Good for the Greater Whole. We have actually chosen this pathway, in order to then, in turn, be able to convey to others, what "hidden" things are going on in the world. It has literally become your "job" as an "Angel of Light" to expose these conditions, despite the fact that it was utterly terrifying at the time. The "message" that you convey, by telling your story, will in turn, create an awareness of a condition upon the planet that is very destructive and "evil" and will help, through exposure, to decrease these events in the long term. You....are an "Angel"...whether or not you chose to believe it...it is the truth....

I have had many encounters with these "beings" ...they are here, with us....within us....and you are one of those "beings"...

It is now a time upon the planet for storytelling....begin to notice...
and your story is of extreme relevance and impact....know this...
you are a "lightworker" in this sense...and are joining forces with others of similar experience for the ultimate healing through "information and education" of the masses.

Take heart and consolation in this truth...

and I personally thank you....from the bottom of my heart!
I too, know of your pain...bless you! bless your way now...

Bright Blessings ~

emanjah

p.s. congratulations! you have just taken an enormous evolutionary shift in consciousness and have passed a most difficult test that will make your life happier in the long run! I promise!

Of all of the Locked Up Abroad episodes, I enjoyed this one the least. Why? At the end, I had very little sympathy for Greg. The word that came to mind at the end to describe him was "wimp". I had no intention to post anything in this forum, but when I read the follow on interview where he said he forgives "all of the people who wronged me" I had to throw my two cents in. Those words reinforced what I think he is; a person who blames others for his lack of happiness. One part of the episode that was glossed over was Greg's supposed instant transformation from successful hospital administrator to homeless, divorced man estranged from his children. Whenever I hear a person claiming they went from the top to the bottom through no fault of their own (in Greg's case the mysterious slip and fall on the stairs), I want to hear more. I want to hear from his co-workers. His doctors. The company. You name it. If I've learned one thing in this life, it's that there are two sides to every story. And that resourceful, productive people overcome obstacles without blaming others.

Sorry for being politically incorrect in our "everyone's a victim" culture.

DEFENDING THE PHILIPPINES?

I understand your goal is to defend the Philippines, which you obviously love and appreciate. It is also true that some individuals who find themselves in a position to be "locked up abroad" have not utilized appropriate conduct in their past. It is logical for you to criticize them...but most have paid a very high price for their obvious foolishness or poor-life choices.

But that does not subtract from the fact that Islamic terrorism is a part of that venue, and a serious threat in the Philippines. Islam has projected a reality of internicine wars, slavery, subrogation of the rights of females, infundibulation, stonings, honor killings, kidnappings, jihad and illiteracy among billions of people struggling to survive.

If you believe, as I do, that the survival of the human species DEPENDS entirely on the willingness of cultures to extoll and defend the rights of women, then you will not excuse or defend any culture that does not do its very best to fight against Islam.

I know that you probably do not take the scholarship of the Council on Foreign Relations as reliable, but if you wish you could look at their analysis of Islamic extremism in Phillipines, whic is here: http://www.cfr.org/publication/9235/

For most females, Islam is the end of their lives of freedom. Therefore, Islam is the number one risk to the survival of our species.

sanjosemike

I missed this episode when it came on and I'd really really like to see it. Please Nat Geo put this episode online so I can watch it. I have been watching this show since Season 1 and I'd really like to see this episode!! Thank you!

My posting on this forum was deleted by the moderator. Who is the moderator for this forum? I dare challenged the authenticity of this story. It is nothing but a fake and hoax.

This is a bogus tale. Many inconsistencies in the tale. No Abu Sayaf kidnapping has ever occured from Cebu and taken to Mindanao. The logistics are just too great to overcome. The distance is to great for any small boat to accomplish the trip from Cebu to Mindanao. It means refueling several times and exposed to a lot of traffic and discovery by authority. Second the place of the kidnapping at the port area of Cebu is heavily guarded by government police and military personnel that unles they are involved themselves (Military & Police) in the kidnapping, it would be next to impossible to do it.

Another questionable aspect of his trip is that he claims he was recruited from Florida to become a Missionary in the Phillipines without the proper training in Missionary work and was just ask to come nonchalantly. Usually this trip is sponsored by the Church with complete instructions on what to do. Also you are always met at the airport by somebody from the mission.

The portion about Abu Sabaya using an interpreter to talk to him is also not believable. In all of his kidnappings he has never used an interpreter to broadcast his demands . He usually would like to talk to the media and speaks English during those broadcast.

Also for the Abu Sayaf to kidnap him looking for the blind prophet is totally rediculous. Why would they not kidnap the blind prophet instead of him? He claims that the Abu Sayaf knew that he was in contact with the prophet, in that case then they would know where the prophet is. Also, before the Abu Sayaf stages the kidnappings they have already scouted the area and the person to be kidnapped. They will not kidnap anyone at random unless they are sure they are going to get paid for it. So, they would usually target someone with money. If you are a foriegner travelling they would target expensive resort areas knowing that those who can stay in those resorts has the money and can afford to pay ransom.

The other aspect of the kidnappings is also very questionable. They would not kidnap 2 to 3 people in Cebu and ferry them all the way to Zamboanga and Jolo if they are not sure that they would get any financial benefit out of it. When they kidnap, they usually take more than 2 to 3 people at the same time. Their usual M.O. is to kidnap from a half dozen to a dozen victims at one time. That way it increasses their chances of getting a fat payday.

His mode of escape is very much a fairy tale. Granting that the interpreter is a good Samaritan who is willing to sacrifice himelf and his family for his sake, but it would be foolhardy to believe that his kidnappers are drinking beer and partying at night till the wee hours of the morning. The Abu Sayaf are avowed Muslims and does not touch alcohol. No one who has been kidnapped by them has ever witnessed them dringking alcoholic beverages.

The portion of his escape from the other end of the tunnel makes it seem like the kidnappers are a bunch of keystone cops who does not know what they are doing. If they have been using the cave as a hideout they would have known about the other opening and would have placed a guard on that entrance so no government troops can surprise them through that opening.

This episode should be labled as fiction and not as a true story. I am surprised that NatGeo did not check the inconsistencies of the story before airing it. It is a wonderfully made up fiction.

Next time Natgeo please check the story and its content and make sure they are real.

Terrific story! I bet the book is incredible.. however I do believe it is just that.. a terrific story. I also think it's sad and very wrong to lead people to believe that these were your "real life" experiences.. when it is clearly fiction. For those of you eating this all up I feel sorry for you all.. if you believe that I have news for you.. Santa isnt real either.. sorry for the bummer.

I'm afraid scotland98 does have a point. I really thought this was a well made programme and have watched them all in the previous series.
However when I sat down and thought about it afterwards I did come to similar conclusions as scotland98.
I have my self been to Cebu a number of times as I have relatives there, although I am English and born here.
I have travelled throughout the Philippines and I have yet to find anyone that can not speak reasonable English. I am sure this group would not need a translator.This includes the most poorest and uneducated of the street beggars. This group does not kidnap from Cebu. It is far away from where they operate. It would be like kidnapping someone in Scotland and jumping on a speed boat going to Plymouth. As a white Englishman I have walked the streets of Cebu many times. I have been to the cinema (nearly all films are American and hence English soundtracks) Been to mcDonalds, I have eaten out been to clubs and pubs.It is a poor place for sure and you have to be careful with crime as in any major city. Cebu is a city that does not have these gorillas operating there or any where near there. As soon as i heard the fact he says he was taken from Cebu I was shocked and thought that he had made a mistake.
I think some thing may have happened to him but sorry not how he tells it I think.

And this is a bit off topic, but when is someone going to do a message board about that special: accidental genius? I think I'm manic like that.

Hi Greg. I just finished watching your episode and have to say I am truly moved. I cannot even imagine the pain you must have felt. Your experience is an inspiration to all. Thank you and god bless.

To be honest, I kinda have to agree with scotland98. I this is not meant as disrespect to Mr Williams, but your story just didn't seem truthful. It's hard to explain, but I found it extremely contrived. If you watch most of the other locked up abroad episodes, they all seem very easily plausible, but yours was sort of--- fake.

I don't care to even read your book and I'm almost offended how everytime someone questions you all you do is throw it up as though it's some sort of answer-to-all-questions. You really don't have even 1 interview online or new article with your story by 'someone other than yourself' to offer as proof?

Even in the remote case your story is real- it's the least believable and the least interesting. Sorry.

Greg did you ever see the blind prophet again?

I watched the episode on National Geographic Japan today. I was shocked about what Mr. Williams experienced but am glad to know Joseph is alive, reading the response of Mr. Williams at this forum.

I don't think the episode is fiction. The thing is that the story is all about what Mr. Williams witnessed. It means that there is no evidence the gang was really Abu Sayyaf. If so, it is rational why they drunk and didn't kidnap the blind prophet. There are lots of pirates in Philippines. I guess the gang was just one of pirates; they imitated the Islamic fundamentalists.

Anyway, thank you for the great episode!!

Greg,
As a fellow Christian I am truly amazed by your story. First, let me say, I'm so very happy you're o.k. and that you survived. I also want to say that I'm so sorry for what happened to your family. I 100% believe that there is such a thing as true evil on this planet. Thank God His presence is always here as well, all we have to do is seek it out. I did have a question: When you grabbed the spoon you said that you were being fed. How often and what did they feed you? At one point you also said you were dehydrated. How much water were you given? Did they give you any of the alcohol they were drinking? I know I need to buy your book and read it and I most certainly will. I just had these questions when I watched the show. I am the minister of a 200+ member church in Colorado. I've done some missionary work and I've had machine guns pointed at me before. Thankfully, I never did have to go through what you did. Thank you for telling your story Greg. I hope the best for you. I won't wish you luck but I will ask God's blessing to continue to be upon you. In life, I've learned that too many beautiful things exist to be simply a matter of luck. May God continue to give you direction in this life. I hope you'll respond as I'd love to hear from you. Take care Greg.
In Him,
Mark5

Greg,
I just caught your episode on Nat Geo Adv in Jakarta, Indonesia. Being a major fan of this show i must admit i was all teary after watching your inspirational plight.
Especially i am so glad that Joseph and his family is safe.
I am Korean who was born and raised in Indonesia (which is the no.1 most populous Muslim country in the world). During my childhood i have never felt 'threatened' in living in this country. But since the escalating terrorists attacks, kidnappings and rape in Indonesia, i am much more aware now.
For me, i witness and hear these things everyday. But i don't live in fear. As Indonesians are still one of the most generous and loving people i have ever met.And the true teaching of Islam is 'LOVE'. And all of my friends practice and honor their religion sacredly.As Joseph has said, Under my God's eyes we are brothers.

For somebody who has visited Asia for a while on a holiday or lived in Asia for a decade, does not make that person 'experience' all the trials and tribulations that occur in reality. Life is harsh here. Some of you in the forum has criticized the credibility of Greg's painful experience. But i dont doubt it at all as i know in 'reality' there are soo many things in Asia and surely other part of the world that the world media does not report. the good and the bad. Example. Jakarta is one the most metropolitan city in Asia with major multinational corporations.You will never realize that Jakarta is a third world country. But then Jakarta was also involved in one of the most brutal riots in 1998 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_1998_riots_in_Indonesia) where they attacked and raped 'Chinese' looking woman and children. I was witness through all the chaos and fear of being raped. There were over thousands of un reported rape cases.
I hope this does not sound weird to you Greg, but i am taking your painful story with me as a gift that i was able to witness the many mysterious ways God work.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Vivian

Hellow Greg,
I watched your NatGeo Chapter last night, and through that experience, was clear as possibly never before, the connection between some painful experiences and faith, then God. This was, when you were in the cave by fist time when the terrorists crossed your hand for a second time. Probably you can tell you were not allone (letteraly)... and the mercy and peace you felt in such high infinite second clarify me, in commond undestendable speachable terms, how the biggest sacriface we know, made sense. This is because just watching that chapter last night, a lot of reflexions and thoughts started as if I read a chapter of the holly bible. In another words, your hard experience may change our life (in deed), and your small condition in that time (confusing -before the kidnaping-) made visible to me the figure of christ. Thank God for what I received through your painful experience (made sense).
Alex