Kidnapped Red Cross workers make phone call to aid group in the Philippines

Kidnapped ICRC workers Eugenio Vagni, Andreas Notter and Jean Lacaba.

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 17, 2009) - Three Red Cross workers kidnapped in the southern Philippines have contacted their mission and military efforts to rescue them proved more harder as hundreds of troops continue their search for the hostages being held captive by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said Saturday the trio - Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugene Vagni and Filipino Jean Lacaba - made contact, but no details about the phone call were made public.

The three were seized by gunmen on January 15 on their way to the airport after visiting a prison facility in the town of Patikul. A former prison guard, Raden Abu, and an Abu Sayyaf leader Albader Parad, were implicated in the kidnappings, authorities told the Mindanao Examiner. (Mindanao Examiner)