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American Morning

Sobero Family Awaits News of Hostage in the Philippines

Aired June 13, 2001 - 09:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: A massive search in the Philippines has failed to find the body of an American hostage who rebels insist that they have beheaded. Philippine authorities say that two bodies have been found. They were identified, though, as Filipinos.

There is a faint hope for a California family that the kidnappers were bluffing and that Guillermo Sobero is still alive.

CNN's Hena Cuevas joins us now, live from Corona, California, where the family is just standing by there waiting for the news.

Good morning,

HENA CUEVAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon.

Keep in mind there's a 15-hour difference between the Philippines and California so the only thing the Sobero family could do last night was wait for information coming from the State Department.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Neighbors came by to tie yellow ribbons as the Sobero family continues to wait for news from the Philippines regarding 40-year-old Guillermo Sobero.

Wife, Fannie Sobero (ph), her cousin, and a friend remained at home, while a steady stream of visitors came by.

Two counselors and two detectives from the Corona Police Department stopped by the house.

LT. ROY VAN DER KALLEN, CORONA POLICE: We're trying to arrange for some financial assistance for her because, at this time, she has not been able to pay some of her bills. He was the sole source of the income for the family.

CUEVAS: The FBI even sent a chaplain, who said the only thing he could provide was support.

FREDRICK HUSCHER, FBI CHAPLAIN: ... just bring consolation and support and encouragement, anything that a chaplain would normally do at a time when the family is pretty concerned about a loved one.

CUEVAS: The family says the State Department is in contact with them and will update them as soon as they have any new information.

NUZA CHIONG, FAMILY SPOKESWOMAN: We are going to stay firm with what the FBI and the State Department have told us, to wait and see, because, according to these rebels, you know, they lie a lot. So we want to stay hopeful.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CUEVAS: Last night, Fannie Sobero says that she's incredibly frustrated by all the uncertainty and not knowing whether her husband is alive or not - Leon.

HARRIS: Thank you very much. Hena Cuevas reporting live this morning.

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