Military operations continue in Sulu after release of Italian hostage

Italian Red Cross staff Eugenio Vagni in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines after his release Sunday, July 12, 2009. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 13, 2009) – The Philippine military on Monday said operations to eliminate Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya terrorists continue in the southern island of Sulu.

Terrorists have freed over the weekend an Italian hostage Eugenio Vagni after six months in captivity. Vagni, a Red Cross staff, was kidnapped in January along with two other aid workers Swiss national Andreas Notter and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba – both had been released in April.

“Our operations against the terrorists are continuing in Sulu. We have troops pursuing them,” Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Vagni was released to Sulu deputy governor Nur Ana Sahidulla at around 1.15 a.m. near Indanan town.

Sahidulla said no ransom was paid for Vagni’s liberty, but the militants originally demanded as much as $2 million for his safe release. Other reports said some P50,000 were also given to the terrorists as payment for Vagni’s so-called “board and lodging.”

No other details were made available by the police and security officials did not give any statement surrounding Vagni’s release.

Italian philanthropist Armando de Rossi, who heads the 3P Foundation, helped Sahidulla in the negotiation for Vagni’s safe release. De Rossi pledged humanitarian and development projects.

“We want to thank all those who helped secure the safe release of Eugenio. The crisis (management) committee (headed by) and Governor Sakur Tan and all the others who made this (release) possible,” De Rossi said.

De Rossi’s foundation is active in humanitarian works in Sulu and had previously donated millions worth of aid to mostly poor villages in the province.

ABS-CBN television, which quoted unnamed sources, reported that the military would swap two wives of an Abu Sayyaf leader Albader Parad for Vagni. Both women were eventually freed by the military.

The two women, Rowena Aksan and Nursima Annudden, were arrested at a military checkpoint in Tagbak village in Indanan town on Tuesday along with four other militants Rabia Asiri, Marwina Salasain, Madrimar Bagadi and Midsfar Aksan. Soldiers also seized from them more than P300,000.

It was unknown why the six were not handed over to the police. The military implicated the six people in the kidnappings of Vagni and two other Red Cross workers, Swiss national Andreas Notter and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba.

There were suspicions that ransoms were paid for the release of the aid workers. The Red Cross denied it paid ransoms in exchange for the freedom of Notter, Lacaba and Vagni.

The Abu Sayyaf had previously used ransoms collected from kidnappings to purchase weapons and finance terror attacks in Sulu and Mindanao.

Just barely two months after the Abu Sayyaf freed Lacaba and Notter, a series of bombings occurred in Mindanao that left scores of people dead and wounded. Authorities blamed the attacks to the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiya.

It was not immediately known whether the supposed ransoms paid for the release of the aid workers were used to finance the bombings.

Military and police intelligence reports said several Jemaah Islamiya terrorists are among the Abu Sayyaf that kidnapped Vagni’s group - Mauiya, Dulmatin, Zulkifli bin Hir and Umar Patek - who are all wanted by Indonesia for the spate of deadly attacks, including the Bali bombing in 2002. The US has offered at least $16 million rewards for their capture.

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan is also supporting military operation against the terrorists, saying, Abu Sayyaf hostilities must be stopped to spare civilians from terror threats.

“We need top protect our citizens from threats of terrorism. Terrorism must be stopped,” he said.

Tan is the only politician who came out publicly to declare an all-out war against terrorism in Sulu and public support is outpouring.

The United States listed the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiya as foreign terrorist groups alongside with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network. Philippine authorities said the Jemaah Islamiya terrorists fled to Mindanao where they sought refuge under the protection of the Abu Sayyaf and rogue members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group. (Mindanao Examiner)

Terrorists free Italian hostage in the Philippines

Freed Italian aid worker Eugenio Vagni at a military base Sunday, July 12, 2009 in Jolo town in Sulu province in southern Philippines. And after his arrival in Zamboanga City en route to Manila where his anxious family and friends are waiting. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Nickee Butlangan).

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 12, 2009) – Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya militants have freed Before dawn Sunday an Italian aid worker kidnapped in January in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, police said.

Police said Eugenio Vagni was released to Sulu deputy governor Nur Ana Sahidulla at around 1.15 a.m. near Parang town. Vagni, the last of three Red Cross workers kidnapped by the militants, was brought to a military hospital in Jolo town where doctors examiner the 62-year old aid worker.

It was unknown if ransom was paid for Vagni’s liberty, but the militants originally demanded as much as $2 million for his safe release. No other details were made available by the police and security officials did not give any statement.

ABS-CBN television, which quoted unnamed sources, reported that the military would swap two wives of an Abu Sayyaf leader Albader Parad for Vagni.

The two women, Rowena Aksan and Nursima Annudden, were arrested at a military checkpoint in Tagbak village in Indanan town on Tuesday along with four other militants Rabia Asiri, Marwina Salasain, Madrimar Bagadi and Midsfar Aksan. Soldiers also seized from them more than P300,000.

The six were also implicated in the kidnappings of Vagni and two other Red Cross workers, Swiss national Andreas Notter and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba.

Both Notter and Lacaba were freed separately in April by the Abu Sayyaf, but there were suspicions that ransoms were paid for their liberty. The Red Cross denied it paid ransoms.

The Abu Sayyaf had previously used ransoms collected from kidnappings to purchase weapons and finance terror attacks in Sulu and Mindanao.

Just barely two months after the Abu Sayyaf freed Lacaba and Notter, a series of bombings occurred in Mindanao that left scores of people dead and wounded. Authorities blamed the attacks to the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiya.

It was not immediately known whether the supposed ransoms paid for the release of the aid workers were used to finance the bombings.

Military and police intelligence reports said several Jemaah Islamiya terrorists are among the Abu Sayyaf that kidnapped Vagni’s group - Mauiya, Dulmatin, Zulkifli bin Hir and Umar Patek - who are all wanted by Indonesia for the spate of deadly attacks, including the Bali bombing in 2002. The US has offered at least $16 million rewards for their capture.

The United States listed the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaan Islamiya as foreign terrorist groups alongside with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.

Philippine authorities said the Jemaah Islamiya terrorists fled to Mindanao where they sought refuge under the protection of the Abu Sayyaf and rogue members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group. (Mindanao Examiner)

Opensiba vs. Sayyaf patuloy sa Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 17, 2009) – Patuloy pa rin ang opensiba ng militar at pulisya kontra Abu Sayyaf sa lalawigan ng Sulu, ngunit maugong ang balitang baka mapalaya na sa lalong madaling panahon ang bihag ng mga bandido na si Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni.

Nasa Indanan ang konsentrasyon ng opensiba dahil sa laki ng grupo ng Abu Sayyaf sa ilalim ni Dr. Abu at Albader Parad. Nasa grupo rin ang ilang mga teroristang miyembro ng Jemaah Islamiya at hinihinalang may hawak kay Vagni.

May balita rin napalaya na umano si Vagni, ngunit itinanggi naman ito agad ng Western Mindanao Command at sinabing wala itong katotohanan.

“Wala pa as far as I know,” ani naman ni Lt. Steffani Cacho, tagapagsalita ng militar, sa panayam ng Mindanao Examiner.

Si Vagni ay dinukot nuong Enero 15 kasama si Swiss national Andreas Notter at Pinay na si Mary Jean Lacaba. Naunang pinalaya sina Lacaba at Notter sa hindi pa malamang kadahilanan, ngunit may hinalanang ransom ang naging kapalit nito.

Ilang ulit naman itinanggi ng Red Cross na may ransom ang pagalaya ng dalawa. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine troops clash with Sayyaf; fate of Italian hostage unknown

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 12, 2009) – Government troops clashed Tuesday with suspected Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Philippine province of Sulu where the group is holding a kidnapped Italian aid worker, military reports said.

It said the clash broke out in the hinterland of Indanan town where security forces are pursuing the kidnappers of Eugenio Vagni, a staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

There were no reports of casualties or news about Vagni, who was kidnapped January 15 in Patikul town with fellow aid workers Andreas Notter, a Swiss national and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba. Both Lacaba and Notter had been released separately last month.

Last week, Abu Sayyaf militants ambushed a police convoy in Indanan town and killed five people, one of them the provincial police chief Julasirim Kasim. Four militants, among them as former soldier, were also killed by police forces.

Aside from Vagni, another faction of the Abu Sayyaf is also holding captive Xili Wu, a Chinese trader kidnapped also in Jolo town in December last year.

In February, the Abu Sayyaf freed a Chinese bakery owner, Dionghan Que, they seized in Jolo town. Que snatched while on his way home on a motorcycle. (Mindanao Examiner)

Italian aid worker held by Abu Sayyaf phones family

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 9, 2009) – An Italian aid worker being held by Filipino and Indonesian terrorists in the southern Philippine province of Sulu has phoned his family, but details of the conversation were not released, the International Committee of the Red Cross said.

It said Eugenio Vagni called on Friday, a day after Abu Sayyaf terrorists ambushed and killed five policemen in Sulu’s Maimbung town. Among the killed was the provincial police chief, Julasirim Kasim.

“He was able to call his family on the morning of Friday. However, the entire situation is difficult for his loved ones, who of course remain very worried about him. We are keenly aware of the distress they are feeling,” said Alain Aeschlimann, the ICRC's head of operations for East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific.

“At the ICRC, we also remain very worried about Eugenio's safety and well-being. His captivity is an agony for him, for his family and friends, and for the entire ICRC. We earnestly hope that the abductors will release Eugenio safe and sound, and that they will do so immediately, without imposing any conditions,” he added.

Vagni was last reported to be ill and suffering from hernia and is being held by Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya terrorists in Indanan town near Maimbung where Kasim’s group was pursuing them. His last phone call to his wife was on April 30.

Aeschlimann has repeatedly appealed for Vagni’s safe release and assured his family that the ICRC is closely working with Philippine authorities.

“We are doing everything we can. Many people are working behind the scenes to resolve the crisis, and we are grateful for their efforts. We are in constant contact with the authorities in the Philippines and Italy, who are monitoring developments closely.”

”We want Eugenio and his family to know that every possible step is being taken to bring about his release. We are not discussing these efforts in detail, however, as doing so could make it harder to achieve our aim,” he said.

Aeschlimann also denied Philippine media reports that the kidnappers have demanded ransom for Vagni’s freedom.

“Let me say once again that the ICRC has not received any demand for ransom since this crisis began. It is important to make it clear that the ICRC's policy is not to pay ransoms in the event that any of its staff are kidnapped. There are no exceptions under this policy. Let me also say very plainly that the ICRC is not offering to pay – and will not pay – for information on Eugenio.”
“We have repeatedly stated our position on these matters throughout the crisis. It is extremely upsetting that rumors of this kind nevertheless continue to circulate, as they could potentially jeopardize the ICRC's work in other conflict zones and sensitive areas around the world – not only in the Philippines,” he said.

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan has ordered soldiers and policemen to rescue Vagni, the last of three international Red Cross workers seized January 15 in the town of Patikul where they inspected a humanitarian project at a prison facility.

The Abu Sayyaf had released Filipino aid worker Mary Jean Lacaba on April 2 and police forces rescued Swiss national Andreas Notter on April 18 in Sulu’s Indanan town.

American troops stationed in Sulu Island had been assisting the local military by providing intelligence about the Abu Sayyaf. Filipino authorities said several Jemaah Islamiya terrorists, among them Mauiya and probably Dulmatin, Umar Patek and Zulkifli bin Hir, are believed to be with the militants holding Vagni. The US offered as much as $18 million bounties for their capture.

The Abu Sayyaf had previously threatened to behead the hostages if security do not pull out from Sulu and this prompted the governor to put the island under state of emergency and ordered a crackdown on suspected supporters of the militant group.

Authorities blamed the Abu Sayyaf for the spate of bomb attacks and kidnappings-for-ransom. In 2001, the group kidnapped three US citizens from a posh resort in Palawan province in central Philippines and brought them to Basilan Island, south of Zamboanga City where they beheaded one hostage. (Mindanao Examiner)

Italian hostage held by Sayyaf in the Philippines phones wife

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 30, 2009) – An Italian aid worker being held captive by Philippine Abu Sayyaf terrorists on a southern island has phoned his wife late Thursday, the television network ABS-CBN reported.

Eugenio Vagni called his wife at around 8.30 p.m. to say that he is alive, but details of their conversation were not made public. The Abu Sayyaf is believed holding Vagni in the island of Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

ABS-CBN said Gwen Pang, the secretary-general of the Philippine National Red Cross has confirmed the conversation between Vagni and his wife.

Vagni was kidnapped January 15 along with Swiss national Andreas Notter and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba, all are working for the International Committee of the Red Cross. The trio was seized after inspecting a water and sanitation project at a prison in Patikul town.

Police said the Abu Sayyaf freed Lacaba on April 2 while Notter was rescued on April 18 in the hinterlands of Indanan town. But media reports claimed the duo was allegedly released in exchange for huge ransoms.

Authorities said among those holding Vagni were members of the Indonesian terror group Jemaah Islamiya. Security forces have surrounded the hinterlands in Indanan town to prevent the Abu Sayyaf from escaping with their captive. (Mindanao Examiner)

Police tightens security in Sulu after Sayyaf clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 27, 2009) – Police said it tightened security in the southern Philippine province of Sulu where Abu Sayyaf militants are holding the last of three kidnapped Italian aid worker Eugenio Vagni.

Police on Monday said the militants holding Vagni have split into smaller groups and the fate of the ailing Italian is unknown. “They have split into smaller groups to confuse security forces tracking them down,” Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, the provincial police chief, told the Mindanao Examiner by phone.

He said another Abu Sayyaf faction in the town of Talipao was trying to link up with the group holding Vagni in Indanan town. Two Abu Sayyaf militants were killed and two other wounded in a clash April 24 with policemen in Talipao town, Kasim said.

He said a government school in Indanan town was also torched by unidentified men on Sunday in Indanan town, just 100 meter from a military post.

“We have tightened our security in Sulu, especially in Talipao, Indanan and the Parang town to prevent the Abu Sayyaf from regrouping or escaping the cordon around those areas,” Kasim said.

Manila has offered P500,000 reward for anybody who could provide information about Vagni, who is suffering from hernia.

Vagni and Swiss national Andreas Notter and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba, all workers of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), were kidnapped January 15 after inspecting a humanitarian project in Patikul town.

Police said it rescued Notter in Indanan town on April 18 after the Abu Sayyaf tried to escape from a cordon guarded by armed civilians. On April 2, Filipino Red Cross staff Mary Jean Lacaba was released by the Abu Sayyaf.

Alain Aeschlimann, the ICRC head of operations for East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific, has repeatedly appealed for Vagni’s safe release.

“Andreas Notter last saw Eugenio on April 16 when they were separated. Since then the ICRC has not received any news. All of us at the ICRC are very concerned about Eugenio,” he said.

“For Eugenio's family, the nightmare of this abduction continues. His baby daughter is growing fast, and she has not seen her father for a hundred days. We hope that he will have her in his arms again very soon. There will be no rest for any of us until this crisis is resolved.”

Unconfirmed media reports said Vagni was handed over by his captors to another armed group in Sulu after Notter’s rescue. There were also reports that Lacaba and Notter were freed by the Abu Sayyaf in exchange for ransoms, but this was denied by authorities.

“We are aware of these reports and take them seriously. However, we have no further information on the matter. We are also renewing our appeal to the abductors' sense of humanity, especially in the light of Eugenio's medical situation. We urge them to release our colleague safe and sound, immediately and unconditionally,” Aeschlimann said.

The ICRC also appealed to the police and military to assure the safety of Vagni after several clashes between security and Abu Sayyaf forces in recent days.

“We maintain close contact with all those trying to find a solution to this crisis, in particular the local and national authorities. The ICRC reiterates that Eugenio’s safety is of paramount importance. We are once again asking all those involved in this crisis to avoid taking any action that could compromise Eugenio's safety. This is all the more important in view of his medical condition,” Aeschlimann said.

He said Lacaba and Notter were reunited with their families and despite the crisis the ICRC will continue to assist and protect the victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence in the Philippines, particularly in Central Mindanao, where tens of thousands of families are still living in evacuation shelters because of the fighting between military and Muslim rebel forces. (Mindanao Examiner)

Security forces clashed with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu; fate of Italian hostage unknown

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 26, 2009) – Government forces clashed with the Abu Sayyaf on Sunday in the southern Philippine province where the militant group is holding a kidnapped Italian aid worker, officials said.

Officials said the fighting erupted in the hinterlands of Talipao town, but there were no reports of casualties. The Abu Sayyaf is holding Eugenio Vagni, the last of three international Red Cross workers seized snatched January 15 after inspecting a water and sanitation project in Patikul town.

“There was clash this morning. We still don’t know if there were Abu Sayyaf casualties in the fighting in Talipao,” said Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, the Sulu police chief.

He said security forces are still tracking down Vagni who is being held by another Abu Sayyaf faction in Indanan town on the opposite side of Talipao. “We have no reports about Vagni,” he said.

Manila has offered P500,000 reward for anybody who could provide information about Vagni, who is ill and suffering from hernia.

Last week, police said it rescued Swiss aid worker Andreas Notter in Indanan town after the Abu Sayyaf tried to escape from a cordon guarded by armed civilians. On April 2, Filipino Red Cross staff Mary Jean Lacaba was released by the Abu Sayyaf.

Alain Aeschlimann, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) operations for East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific, has repeatedly appealed for Vagni’s safe release.
“Andreas Notter last saw Eugenio on April 16 when they were separated. Since then the ICRC has not received any news. All of us at the ICRC are very concerned about Eugenio,” he said.

“For Eugenio's family, the nightmare of this abduction continues. His baby daughter is growing fast, and she has not seen her father for a hundred days. We hope that he will have her in his arms again very soon. There will be no rest for any of us until this crisis is resolved.”

Unconfirmed media reports said Vagni was handed over by his captors to another armed group in Sulu after Notter’s rescue. There were also reports that Lacaba and Notter were freed by the Abu Sayyaf in exchange for ransoms, but this was denied by authorities.

“We are aware of these reports and take them seriously. However, we have no further information on the matter. We are also renewing our appeal to the abductors' sense of humanity, especially in the light of Eugenio's medical situation. We urge them to release our colleague safe and sound, immediately and unconditionally,” Aeschlimann said.

The ICRC also appealed to the police and military to assure the safety of Vagni after several clashes between security and Abu Sayyaf forces in recent days.

“We maintain close contact with all those trying to find a solution to this crisis, in particular the local and national authorities. The ICRC reiterates that Eugenio’s safety is of paramount importance. We are once again asking all those involved in this crisis to avoid taking any action that could compromise Eugenio's safety. This is all the more important in view of his medical condition,” Aeschlimann said.

He said Lacaba and Notter were reunited with their families and despite the crisis the ICRC will continue to assist and protect the victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence in the Philippines, particularly in Central Mindanao, where tens of thousands of families are still living in evacuation shelters because of the fighting between military and Muslim rebel forces. (Mindanao Examiner)

Ginsugad san Palasyo an NDCC, Sulu nga magpreparar si pagkaon ngan mga medisina

Maynila - Nagsugad karon si Deputy Presidential spokesman Anthony Golez nga kinahanglan pa niya makakarawat sin report san possible nga pagebakwet san mga sibilyan didto san mga lugar nga kuno adto si Italian Eugeno Vagni bilang hostage san Abu Sayyaf kidnappers.

Pero nagsugad si Golez nga mao gihapon an chairman san National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), nga kun kinahanglan na gud ine maabo, an mga sibilyan sa mga lugar nga yaun kadelikaduhan san aragyway mao in igkakadtu sa libre nga mga lugar.

Si Golez an nagbaton san mga report nga possible nga magkayaun sin military operations pag libre kan Vagni nga mao an nabibilin nala san tulo nga gin kidnap nga mga natrabaho san International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) nga ada pa sa mga kamot san Abu ayyaf nga mga bandido sa Sulu.

Nagsugad gihapon si Gloz nga an local government unit san mga nasabi nga mga lugar ngan san NDCC in gintagan na sin mga instructions nga mga tirok na sin pagkaon ngan mga medisina nga makakagsuporta san mga relief operations.

Ine in mga preparasyon nga standard contingency procedures san NDCC ngha pirmi ginhihimo sa mga lugar nga possible magkayaun aragway.

Nagsugad gihapon si Golez nga an local crisis committee (LCC) sa Sulu ngan san NDCC in nagpili na san lima nga mga lugar nga possible mahimo nga evacuation centers.

A pangutana kun an Pilipinas in matugot nga an Italian government in mag-asister san pag rescue kan Vagni, nagsugad si Golez nga an angay bumaton siton nga pangutana mao an local crisis management committee (LCMC) pero yaun pahayag an Armed forces of the Philippines nga sira an maghihimo san rescue mission. Matungod sine, dire na kinahanglan nga bumulig an gobyerno san Italya.

Gintagan bugat ni Golez nga bisan nano an ig rekondar san LCMC parte sine nga situasyon sa Sulu, mao an dapat sundon san ngatanan ngan ine gintugutan ni National Defense ecretary Gilberto Teodoro san dire pala maiha nga mga press conferences kaupod an LCMC.

Sugad ni Golez nga parte san Sulu hostage crisis, karuyag san Palasyo nga an mga sekretaryo san Department of Interior and Local government (DILG) ngan san DND mao an dapat magin basehan san ngatanan nga impormasyon.

Sugad pa ni Golez nga an lokal nga pangobyernohan ngan san lokal nga DCC mao an mahatag sin report parte sin mga pag gios sin mga tropa ngan pare sine, wara pa sira report.

Base san mga contingency planning, an magkadurudilain nga mga government agencies nga responsible san pag-ataman san mga internally displaced people (IDPs) in naghihimo na sin pagtirok san mga pagkaon ngan medisina nga kinahanglan ada sa ngatanan nga oras.

Parte san nagtitika paso nga aragway sa Cotabato ngan Maguindanao, nagsugad si Golez nga yaun mga tandard Operting Procedures sin paghatag sin seguridad ngan pagbulig san mga IDPs. (Nene A. Manzanares)

Red Cross hostage, parang bula na nawala sa Sulu

SULU (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 24, 2009) – Mistulang karayom sa malawak na kakahuyan ang paghahanap na isinasagawa ng militar at pulisya sa nalalabing Italyanong Red Cross hostage ng Abu Sayyaf sa Sulu province.

Tatlong araw ng pinaghahanap ng daan-daang mga sundalo at parak si Eugenio Vagni ngunit bigo pa rin ang mga ito na matagpuan ang dayuhan na sinasabing may sakit sa kabundukan ng Sulu.

Dalawang bayan ng Sulu – sa Indanan at Parang – ang Sentro ng search and rescue operation matapos na mahiwalay si Vagni sa kasamahang si Swiss national Andreas Notter na nailigtas naman ng mga parak nuong nakaraang linggo.

Inamin ni Notter na hirap na hirap si Vagni sa kanyang kalagayan dahil sa pamamaga ng mga bayag nito sanhi ng hernia. Si Notter ay nakabalik na sa kanyang bansa.

Unang pinalaya ng Abu Sayyaf nuong Abril 2 si Mary Jean Lacaba, ang kasamang Pinay nina Vagni at Notter. Dinukot ang tatlong nuong Enero 15 matapos na bisitahin ang isang humanitarian project sa bilangguan sa bayan ng Patikul.

Nag-alok na rin ang mga awtoridad ng P500,000 bilang pabuya sa sinumang makakapagturo ng kinaroroonan ni Vagni. Nauna kasing napaulat na ibinigay ng Abu Sayyaf sa ilalim ni Albader Parad si Vagni sa isang grupo ng mga rebelde, ngunit itinanggi naman ito ng militar.

Kamakalawa ay nagkaroon ng sagupaan sa bayan ng Talipao sa pagitan ng Abu Sayyaf at mga awtoridad, ngunit wala namang inulat na nasawi, ayon kay Sulu police chief Julasirim Kasim. (Mindanao Examiner)

Security forces pursuing Sayyaf holding Italian hostage move deeper into Sulu jungle

With Mount Tumatangis of the Mountain of Tears, Sulu's biggest mosque, the Tulay Masjid, is covered in mist. Security forces have mounted an operation Wednesday, April 22, 2009 in Sulu's thick jungle to rescue a kidnapped Italian Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni.

(Mindanao Examiner Photo)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 22, 2009) – Filipino security forces tracking down a an Italian aid worker kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in January in the southern Sulu island have moved deeper into the jungle on Wednesday with orders to rescue the hostage.

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan said he has ordered soldiers and policemen to rescue Eugenio Vagni, the last of three international Red Cross workers seized January 15 in the town of Patikul where they inspected a humanitarian project at a prison facility.

“We cannot wait forever for the Abu Sayyaf to decide when to free Vagni,” he said, adding, the safety of Vagni remains his top priority.

The Abu Sayyaf had released Filipino aid worker Mary Jean Lacaba on April 2 and police forces rescued Swiss national Andreas Notter on April 18 in Sulu’s Indanan town.

American troops stationed in Sulu Island had been assisting the local military by providing intelligence about the Abu Sayyaf. Filipino authorities said several Jemaah Islamiya terrorists, among them Mauiya and probably Dulmatin, Umar Patek and Zulkifli bin Hir, are believed to be with the militants holding Vagni. The US offered as much as $18 million bounties for their capture.

Vagni is suffering from hernia and could hardly walk, Notter told authorities after his rescue. He said the Italian captive is ill.

Thousands of soldiers and policemen, including armed village guards, have surrounded a large area in Indanan’s jungle to prevent the Abu Sayyaf from escaping with their hostage.

The Abu Sayyaf had previously threatened to behead the hostages if security do not pull out from Sulu and this prompted the governor to put the island under state of emergency and ordered a crackdown on suspected supporters of the militant group.

Police said fighting erupted on Wednesday in Talipao town, but there were no immediate reports of casualties, said Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim.

“Our forces clashed with another group of the Abu Sayyaf in Talipao. We have no immediate reports of enemy casualties,” he said.

Authorities blamed the Abu Sayyaf for the spate of bomb attacks and kidnappings-for-ransom. In 2001, the group kidnapped three US citizens from a posh resort in Palawan province in central Philippines and brought them to Basilan Island, south of Zamboanga City where they beheaded one hostage. (Mindanao Examiner)

Security cordon vs. Sayyaf tightened in Sulu

Chief Superintendent Bensali Jabarani, commander of police forces in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, inspects policemen and members of the Civilian Auxillary Force deployed near an Abu Sayyaf stronghold in Indanan town in Sulu province, where the terrorist group is still holding two Red Cross workers Swiss national Andreas Notter and Italian Eugenio Vagni since January 15. Sulu Governor Dr. Sakur Tan has declared a state of emergency in the province to address the hostage crisis. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Mark Navales)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 12, 2009) – Security forces continue to tighten its cordon around the jungle stronghold of Abu Sayyaf terrorists holding two kidnapped foreign Red Cross workers in Sulu province in the southern Philippines.

Chief Superintendent Bensali Jabarani, the regional police chief, said security forces have surrounded the Abu Sayyaf in the town of Indanan where they are holding hostage Swiss national Andreas Notter and Italian Eugenio Vagni.

“Police and military forces, as well as armed village guards are still in the area and preventing the kidnappers from escaping with their hostages. We are closely working with the crisis committee headed by Sulu Governor Sakur Tan and the military and other law enforcement agencies,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

Tan has put the province under the state of emergency to address the three-month old hostage crisis after the Abu Sayyaf threatened to behead Notter and Vagni.

A terrorist spokesman Albader Parad said they will kill the hostages if security forces do not return to pull out from at least five towns and return to barracks. Tan flatly rejected the Abu Sayyaf demand, saying, the withdrawal of troops and police forces could pave the way for terrorists to escape or merge with other rebel groups.

The Abu Sayyaf has released a third Red Cross hostage, Mary Jean Lacaba, a Filipino engineer, on April 2 two days after the declaration of the state of emergency.

Jabarani said the crackdown on Abu Sayyaf supporters is going on in Sulu. He said police and military last week raided a house in the capital town of Jolo and seized a cache of bomb components believed to be a source of Abu Sayyaf explosives.

“The governor’s declaration of the state of emergency in Sulu really helped us in the campaign against terrorism. It gives us more power to address the threats of terrorism,” he said.

Jabarani, who was in Sulu over the weekend, also inspected police forces and armed village guards who are helping authorities prevent the kidnappers from escaping.

Military and police intelligence reports said several Jemaah Islamiya terrorists are among those holding the aid workers - Mauiya, Dulmatin, Zulkifli bin Hir and Umar Patek - who are all wanted by Indonesia for the spate of deadly attacks, including the Bali bombing in 2002. The US has offered at least $16 million rewards for their capture. (With a report from Mark Navales)

7 people charged for colluding with Abu Sayyaf terrorists

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 06, 2009) – Seven people, including three policemen, were charged in court for their alleged involvements with the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group which is holding two kidnapped Red Cross workers in Sulu province in the southern Philippines.

Among those also charged were two village chieftains and two civilians, according to a report by the local ABS-CBN television.

It said the suspects are in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police in Zamboanga City.

Sulu police chief Julasirim Kasim confirmed the arrest of the three policemen and said the crackdown on suspected Abu Sayyaf supporters is going. “This (crackdown) will continue without ‘let-up’ in the province,” he said.

The government on Sunday rejected fresh demands by the Abu Sayyaf to pull out military and police forces in Sulu where it is holding Swiss national Andreas Notter, 38, and Italian Eugenio Vagni, 62.

Abu Sayyaf commander Albader Parad has repeatedly warned that they would behead the hostages if the government fails to pull out security forces in at least five areas near the terrorist jungle stronghold in Indanan town.

Parad’s renewed threats came after his group freed Mary Jean Lacaba on April 2. The trio was kidnapped January 15 in Patikul town where they inspected a humanitarian project.

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, head of the government task force negotiating for the release of the hostages, rejected the Abu Sayyaf demand for a total pull out of security forces, but said he could strike a compromise with the terrorists if they free the remaining captives.

“Security forces surrounding the terrorists’ hideout can move back a little if the Abu Sayyaf is ready to free the hostages,” he said.

Tan declared a state of emergency in Sulu last week and ordered a crackdown on suspected supporters of the Abu Sayyaf. The Abu Sayyaf has been blamed by Manila for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings for ransom the past years. Authorities said some Jemaah Islamiya terrorists are among those holding the two aid workers. (Mindanao Examiner)

Italy makes contact with Sayyaf hostage in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 02, 2009) – Three Red Cross workers kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf terrorists are all alive, according to the Italian Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said they were able to talk to Italian Eugenio Vagni, one of the hostages. “They are alive according to information in our possession,” he said.

Vagni and Swiss national Andreas Notter and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba, who work for the International Committee of the Red Cross, were kidnapped January 15 after inspecting a humanitarian project at a prison in Patikul town.

Unconfirmed reports in Sulu on Wednesday said the Abu Sayyaf shot Notter in the head and killed or probably injured after he tried to escape from his captors. Journalists covering the hostage crisis in Sulu also received the same reports from this cell phone number +639277083148.

Marine Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, commander of military forces in-charge of rescuing the hostages, said the reports of Notter’s death could be part of the strategy of the Abu Sayyaf to divert the attention of the authorities.

Allaga said all the hostages are probably alive. “It’s difficult to believe every single report in Sulu at this time, but there are indications all the hostages are still alive,” he told the Mindanao Examiner. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippines succumbs to terrorist demands, pulls out troops around Sulu jungle lair

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Exzaminer / Mar. 28, 2009) – The Philippines on Saturday finally surrendered to Abu Sayyaf demands to pull out troops near its jungle lair or terrorists would behead one of three Red Cross hostages in Sulu province.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno was quoted by local journalists as saying that troops will pull out beginning Saturday from the jungle stronghold of Abu Sayyaf terrorists where the aid workers are being held captive.

The trio – Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba – were kidnapped January 15 after inspecting a water and sanitation project at a prison in the town of Patikul.

An Abu Sayyaf leader, Albader Parad, have threatened to behead one hostage if security forces are not pulled out from the town until end of this month.

Troops, policemen and armed village guards have put up a cordon in Indanan town to prevent the terrorists from escaping with their hostages.

“We are giving them a breathing space where they feel safe to negotiate,” Puno said, referring to the Abu Sayyaf. “I think we are more than bending over backwards in order that the kidnappers will not feel threatened.”

Puno made a brief stopover in Zamboanga City on his way to Sulu province with Gov. Sakur Tan for a meeting with senior police and military officials.

Senior Supt. Julasirim Kasim, Sulu police chief, said they are waiting for orders whether to pull out or not. “We just take orders from our superiors and if they wanted us to pull back, then there is no problem with us and we can maintain intelligence operations to monitor the movements of the kidnappers,” he said.

Kasim said they have intelligence reports that the Abu Sayyaf may kill Vagni if security forces are not pulled out in Indanan town. He said the terrorists issued an ultimatum until end of March for security forces to withdraw from the town.

The Abu Sayyaf last week also threatened to behead hostages after two days of clashes that left three soldiers dead and 23 others wounded. Parad was also wounded in the fighting and warned that they will kill the hostage if clashes erupt again or if troops get near them.

Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, commander of military forces in Western Mindanao, ignored phone calls from journalists, while Col. Eugenio Clemen, marine commander in Sulu, declined to give any statement about the pull out of soldiers from Indanan and so was Col. Ernesto Torres, the spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to where the hostages belong has appealed again to the Abu Sayyaf to free the Notter, Vagni and Lacaba.

Appearing on a 34-second video on the ICRC website, Jakob Kellenberger, the ICRC's president, appealed to the kidnappers to free the trio.

“I am very concerned by the threats of the kidnappers,” Kellenberger said in a rare appearance. “I am asking for their safe, unconditional and immediate release.”

The appeal was in response to threats made by the Abu Sayyaf that they will kill one of the ICRC captives if their demand for a pull back of troops goes unmet.

”The sole purpose of Mary Jean, Eugenio and Andreas' work is to give help to those in need. It is impossible to understand what the kidnappers could possibly achieve by hurting them. Harming a humanitarian aid worker cannot be justified under any ideology or religious law,” Kellenberger said in the video, behind him a world map showing red dots where the ICRC is operating.

The ICRC said Kellenberger spoke with Philippine Executive Secretary, Eduardo Ermita, and asked him to ensure that the authorities do everything in their power to save the lives of the hostages, while avoiding any action that could put their lives at risk.

”The ICRC's priority is that Mary Jean, Eugenio and Andreas remain safe and that they be able to return to their families, who miss them desperately. Their children, parents, siblings, spouses, friends and colleagues will not give up hope of seeing them again soon,” Kellenberger said.

The television network ABS-CBN also showed a video footage of the hostages sitting together and surrounded by their captors, many of them clad in military uniforms and wearing ski masks.

Two of the guards were holding a black banner with Arabic inscriptions similar to what the terrorist group al-Qaeda show in their propaganda videos.

Filipino military intelligence reports said among those holding the aid workers are members of the Indonesian terror group Jemaah Islamiya.

Jemaah Islamiya militants led by Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir also known as Marwan, is believed to be among the Abu Sayyaf holding the hostages. Two more Jemaah Islamiya terrorists Dulmatin and Umar Patek are also said to be hiding in Sulu.

Zulkifli, who also heads the Kumpulun Mujahidin Malaysia (KMM), was believed to be involved in multiple deadly bomb attacks in the Philippines and has been added to most-wanted list of the U.S. Rewards for Justice Program.

The U.S. offered as much as $5-million bounty for the capture of Zulkifli and other known Abu Sayyaf leaders, while Dulmatin carries a $10-million reward on his head and $1-million for Patek. Manila also put aside P100-million bounties for the capture of Abu Sayyaf leaders dead or alive. (Mindanao Examiner)

Medicines sent to ICRC hostages in the Philippines; Italian captive suffering from hypertension

Kidnapped ICRC team Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba, Sulu deputy governor Nur Anna Sahidulla, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Swiss Andreas Notter.

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 31, 2009) – One of three members of the International Committee of the Red Cross kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Philippines is suffering from hypertension and that medicines have been delivered in Sulu island where the trio is being held captive.

A bulletin issued late Friday by the Task Force ICRC said Italian Eugenio Vagni is suffering from high blood pressure. Vagni, along with Swiss national Andreas Notter and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba, were kidnapped January 15 after inspecting humanitarian projects at a prison facility in Patikul town.

Police said a dismissed prison guard was among five gunmen who seized the trio and later handed them over to an Abu Sayyaf faction headed by Albader Parad and Abu Pula.

Sulu deputy governor Nur Anna Sahidulla, who heads the local Red Cross chapter, was allowed by the kidnappers to their camp on Wednesday and she spoke with the hostages.

“TF ICRC reported that Vice Governor Nur Ana Sahidulla was able to establish contact with the kidnap victims. According to the lady vice governor Andres Notter, Eugenio Vagni and Mary jean Lacaba seem to be well, although Vagni was suffering from high blood pressure.”

“She confirmed that the victims were able to receive the books, medicines and other personal effects. This development is vital for the authorities to establish proof of life on the part of the victims,” the bulletin said.

The kidnappers said they wanted no ransom, but government livelihood and development projects in exchange for the hostages.

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan on Friday reiterated Manila's strict no-ransom policy and said any payment of money for the release of three kidnapped Red Cross workers would only be used by the Abu Sayyaf to purchase more weapons.

“We will not pay ransom to the kidnappers. Any ransom paid to the kidnappers will only be used to buy new weapons and that will be a big problem for us,” said Tan, head of the Task Force ICRC.

Alain Aeschlimann, head of the ICRC's operations for East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific, said the hostages have also been able to make telephone calls on a number of occasions since their abduction.

“Talking with them and hearing that they are doing as well as can be expected in these difficult circumstances has brought some relief for their loved ones and, of course, their colleagues. But as time passes, those who love and care for them are understandably growing more and more worried about their well-being,” he said.

Aeschlimann did not give details about Vagni’s health condition, but in several phone calls to the ICRC, the hostages said they are okay.

“I think it's important for medical information to remain private. No one would want their health information to be made available for the world to know. They tell us they are in good health and the photo indicates likewise. Of course, every time we talk to them we let them know that their families and friends miss them and are waiting for them to come home. We tell them everyone sends their love,” Aeschlimann said.

The ICRC has also ruled out paying ransom to the kidnappers for the freedom of the hostages and appealed repeatedly for their safe release.

“I can confirm that a contact with the kidnappers has been established but I'm simply not willing to comment beyond this. I wouldn't want to say anything that could compromise their safety or our chances of getting them home safe and sound as soon as possible,” Aeschlimann said.

With the kidnapping of the aid workers, the ICRC said the humanitarian project in Sulu was suspended. “Their abduction has meant that the water and sanitation project they were working on in Sulu has had to be put on hold, but the ICRC's work in the rest of the Philippines is continuing as planned,” he said.

Filipino authorities have blamed the Abu Sayyaf for the spate of kidnappings-for-ransom and bombing attacks in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)

Search for 3 kidnapped Red Cross staff in the Philippines enters second week

Governor Sakur joins a police patrol in the town of Jolo in the southern Filipino island of Sulu, where suspected Abu Sayyaf militants seized January 15, 2009 three aid workers - a Swiss national Andreas Notyter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba - who are working for the Internatioanl Commiittee of the Red Cross. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 22, 2009) – Filipino troops continue to search for three aid workers kidnapped in the southern island of Sulu as the rescue operation entered its second week with no signs of the hostages.

The three – Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba – are being held by Abu Sayyaf militants with links to the Indonesian terror group Jemaah Islamiya.

They were seized January 15 in Patikul town after inspecting a water and sanitation project a prison facility. A dismissed jail guard was also implicated in the kidnapping, police said, quoting reports from witnesses.

The International Committee of the Red Cross to which the victims are working for is calling for the unconditional release of the hostages.

“I appeal to those who are holding Mary-Jean, Andreas and Eugenio to let them go as quickly as possible,” Alain Aeschlimann, the ICRC's head of operations for East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific in Geneva, said on Thursday. “We want to have them back safe and sound. Their children, spouses, parents, siblings and loved ones are anxious and waiting for them to come home.”The ICRC has been in contact with the three staff members several times since they were kidnapped and the last time the three were able to call was on January 19. ”We hope that we'll hear their voices again soon and that they remain unharmed,” Aeschlimann said. “We also continue to hope that this difficult situation will have a positive outcome.”

The ICRC said it has no direct contacts with the kidnappers and ruled out paying ransom in exchange for the safe release of the victims.

But Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, head of the local crisis task force, said the kidnappers were probably dictating the hostages on what to tell the ICRC. “The victims should not allow themselves become the mouthpiece of the kidnappers,” he said.

Tan said the Task Force-ICRC, composed of the military, police and provincial and national government agencies, are working hard to resolve the crisis soon.

“The task force is still strategizing its move to safely recover the innocent victims and to end this kidnapping incident soon. We cannot reveal tactical matters because this could jeopardize the whole efforts of the task force,” he said.

Tan also appealed to the media not to speculate or report false information about the kidnapping crisis. “Every false report adds to the burden of anxious families (of the hostages). We want to assure the families that we are doing everything to resolve this problem,” he said.

Foreign media, which quoted unnamed Filipino military officials, have reported last week the kidnappers demanded $5 million ransom, but the ICRC denied this.

“As far as I am aware, they are false rumors. We have not had any direct contact with the people who are holding Mary-Jean, Eugenio and Andreas. That said, the ICRC cannot just disregard rumors like this. We are doing our best to check on their possible accuracy through a range of contacts,” said Jean-Daniel Tauxe, ICRC’s head of delegation in Manila.

“This is obviously a high-profile case and there is a lot of media attention surrounding it. Sometimes, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. What we know for sure is that the three are alive, and we want their safe return. I am not in a position to comment further as I do not want to jeopardize our colleagues’ safety, nor do I want to speculate on rumors. That simply wouldn’t be helpful,” Tauxe said.

“In addition, in these times of instantaneous worldwide communication, we are very concerned about the effect that rumors, conveyed by media, may have on the families of our kidnapped colleagues. Because of the time difference, and the difficulty for the families living in other parts of the world to understand aspects of the incident relating specifically to the Philippines, our colleagues at Geneva headquarters are doing their best to protect the families from the incredible stress that rumors can unleash. Here in the Philippines we are trying to do the same thing for the family of our Filipina colleague,” he said.

Authorities said the hostages are being held by Abu Sayyaf leaders Albader Parad and Abu Pula, who were both former Moro National Liberation Front rebels. (Mindanao Examiner)

No ransom demand for kidnapped workers in the Philippines: ICRC

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 19, 2009) – The International Committee of the Red Cross denied media reports that kidnappers were demanding five million dollars in exchange for three kidnapped workers in Sulu province.

The German press agency earlier reported that kidnappers were planning to ask the ransom for the safe release of Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba. It quoted military officials in the report.

The three were seized January 15 in Patikul town after inspecting water and sanitation projects at the provincial jail.

Senator Richard Gordon, head of the Philippine Red Cross, said the kidnappers, who contacted the aid agency Monday, only wanted a halt in the military pursuit operation in Sulu.Jean-Daniel Tauxe, ICRC's head of delegation in Manila, said they continue to hope for the safe release of the hostages.

Tauxe has confirmed the hostages phoned the ICRC over the weekend. “We talked to all three of them during the weekend. We were first contacted by them on Friday. This was followed by other calls from the three over the past few days.”

“Mary-Jean, Eugenio and Andreas all say they are in good health. From what we understand, they are being held together. It's always good to hear their voices and, of course, we remain concerned for their safety and hope they will be back with their loved ones soon,” he said in a statement posted at the ICRC website on Monday.

He said the ICRC wants the safe and unconditional return of the three hostages. He said the ICRC have no direct contact with the kidnappers and expressed concern over false reports in the media.

“Regarding the rumors in the media, they are just that: rumors. As far as I am aware, they are false rumors. We have not had any direct contact with the people who are holding Mary-Jean, Eugenio and Andreas,” he said. “The ICRC cannot just disregard rumors like this. We are doing our best to check on their possible accuracy through a range of contacts.”

“This is obviously a high-profile case and there is a lot of media attention surrounding it. Sometimes, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. What we know for sure is that the three are alive, and we want their safe return. I am not in a position to comment further as I do not want to jeopardize our colleagues' safety, nor do I want to speculate on rumors. That simply wouldn't be helpful.”

“In addition, in these times of instantaneous worldwide communication, we are very concerned about the effect that rumors, conveyed by media, may have on the families of our kidnapped colleagues. Because of the time difference, and the difficulty for the families living in other parts of the world to understand aspects of the incident relating specifically to the Philippines, our colleagues at Geneva headquarters are doing their best to protect the families from the incredible stress that rumors can unleash. Here in the Philippines we are trying to do the same thing for the family of our Filipina colleague,” Tauxe said. (Mindanao Examiner)

ICRC wants safe and unconditional return of abducted staff

MANILA, Philippines - The International Committee of the Red Cross continues to hope for the safe and swift return of its three abducted staff in the southern Philippines.

Since 16 January, Mary-Jean Lacaba, Eugenio Vagni and Andreas Notter have been able to contact the ICRC several times by phone. The ICRC’s head of delegation in Manila, Jean-Daniel Tauxe, explains how the organization is responding to the crisis and the various challenges involved.

The ICRC has heard from its kidnapped colleagues several times since they were seized on Sulu Island. How are they doing?

We talked to all three of them during the weekend. We were first contacted by them on Friday. This was followed by other calls from the three over the past few days.

Mary-Jean, Eugenio and Andreas all say they are in good health. From what we understand, they are being held together. It’s always good to hear their voices and, of course, we remain concerned for their safety and hope they will be back with their loved ones soon.

There are reports circulating in the media that the kidnappers have opened talks for negotiating a release and have demanded five million dollars in ransom money. Can you confirm this?

Let me first respond by underlining that we would like the safe and unconditional return of our colleagues as quickly as possible.

Regarding the rumours in the media, they are just that: rumours. As far as I am aware, they are false rumours. We have not had any direct contact with the people who are holding Mary-Jean, Eugenio and Andreas.

That said, the ICRC cannot just disregard rumours like this. We are doing our best to check on their possible accuracy through a range of contacts.

This is obviously a high-profile case and there is a lot of media attention surrounding it. Sometimes, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. What we know for sure is that the three are alive, and we want their safe return. I am not in a position to comment further as I do not want to jeopardize our colleagues’ safety, nor do I want to speculate on rumours. That simply wouldn’t be helpful.

In addition, in these times of instantaneous worldwide communication, we are very concerned about the effect that rumours, conveyed by media, may have on the families of our kidnapped colleagues. Because of the time difference, and the difficulty for the families living in other parts of the world to understand aspects of the incident relating specifically to the Philippines, our colleagues at Geneva headquarters are doing their best to protect the families from the incredible stress that rumours can unleash. Here in the Philippines we are trying to do the same thing for the family of our Filipina colleague.

Do you expect this incident to have an impact on the ICRC’s operations in the southern Philippines?

The ICRC fully expects to continue its assistance and protection activities in the conflict-affected areas. We’ve been working in the country since 1982. We carry out a range of activities, including visits to detainees to ensure they are treated well and have access to water and sanitation facilities.

We also continue to respond to the needs of people who remain displaced in significant numbers in central Mindanao. This work is done in cooperation with the Philippine National Red Cross Society, whose dedicated volunteers distribute items such as rice, soap and cooking oil, and follow up on the population's needs. We also provide support for medical facilities that are working to treat those who have been injured or made sick as a direct or indirect result of the fighting.

In addition, the ICRC works to ensure that the displaced have access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. This is an extremely important part of what we do because it has a direct impact on people’s health and well-being. When people have clean water to drink and proper toilets, it greatly decreases the chances of disease spreading.

Mary-Jean and Eugenio are both water and habitat specialists for the ICRC and were working on a water and sanitation project at the Jolo provincial jail when they were snatched along with Andreas.

Their expertise and experience enable the ICRC to provide the right kind of help to people in need, whether in evacuation areas or in detention centres. We sincerely hope that Mary-Jean, Eugenio and Andreas will be returned to us soon so that they can continue helping the conflict-affected population in the southern Philippines. For the time being, because of their abduction, we are unable to carry out our water and sanitation project at the Jolo provincial jail, but the rest of our activities continue.

Abu Sayyaf demands $5-M for ICRC hostages in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 18, 2009) – Abu Sayyaf militants holding three Red Cross members are planning to demand five million dollars in exchange for the freedom of the hostages, reports said Sunday.

The Deutsche Press Agentur quoted unidentified Filipino military intelligence officials who said the militants, led by Albader Parad and Abu Pula, were planning to ransom off the hostages. It was unknown how the military knew about the plan and the German news agency gave no details about the military report.

But the International Committee of the Red Cross to which the three belong said it would not pay ransom to the kidnappers holding the trio – Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Jean Lacaba - in the hinterlands of Sulu province.

The aid organization said the hostages made a phone call on Friday and said they are unharmed.

“The three abducted colleagues have been able to call the International Committee of the Red Cross directly and they said that they are unharmed, so that’s good news. And there is no further information available on their whereabouts precisely or who is holding them,” Roland Bigler, ICRC spokesman in Manila, said.

Bigler appealed to the kidnappers to free the hostages.

“We hope that they will be shortly and safely released and they will regain their freedom and we appeal of course to respect their physical integrity, to respect their lives and to respect these three colleagues,” Bigler said.

The hostages are also believed to be the dense jungle of Indanan town, where Parad has recently married a local woman and is building a new house for himself and his wife.

Parad was also linked to the kidnapping December 13 of a Chinese trader, Xili Wu alias Peter Go, in Sulu’s Jolo town.

Parad’s group seized the 28-year old Wu, from Fujian province, as he was closing his electronics store. Police said Wu, along with five other Chinese men, arrived in Jolo in December 2007 and since then operated the Perlas Trading by using fake Filipino identities.

Authorities have tagged the Abu Sayyaf as behind the spate of kidnappings and bomb attacks across Mindanao. The group, made up mostly of former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels, has been labeled a terrorist organization by both Manila and Washington, and is believed to have links with the al-Qaeda terror network and Jemaah Islamiya.

Pula, a former MNLF rebel, is said to be harboring Jemaah Islamiya bomb experts Umar Patek and the one-named Dulmatin, two Indonesians who fled to the southern Philippines after the 2002 nightclub bombings that killed 202 people on the resort island of Bali. The military said the two foreigners continue to provide combat and bomb-making training to the Abu Sayyaf.

The U.S. has offered as much as five million dollars for the capture of known Abu Sayyaf leaders and up to ten million dollars for Dulmatin’s capture and another one million dollars for Patek’s head.

Dulmatin is an electronics specialist who has trained in al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan, and is a senior figure in the organization. Patek is believed to have been actively involved in the Bali bombings. (Mindanao Examiner)