ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 15, 2009) – Government negotiations continue Wednesday for the safe release of two foreign Red Cross workers being held by Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya terrorists in the southern Filipino province of Sulu.
Provincial governor Dr. Sakur Tan said Muslim clerics are now helping in efforts to convince the terrorists to free Swiss national Andreas Notter and Italian Eugenio Vagni who were seized January 15 along with Filipino aid worker Mary Jean Lacaba.
The woman was released on April 2 after a series of negotiations.
“The Ulama are helping us negotiate for the safe release of the two hostages. Everybody wants an end to this hostage crisis,” Tan told the Mindanao Examiner by phone from Sulu. He did not elaborate.
Philippine police chief Jesus Verzosa and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno also arrived in Sulu on Wednesday and met with Tan to discuss the progress of the negotiations, said Sonny Abing III, the provincial government spokesman.
“They discussed efforts to free the hostages and other important matters,” Abing said in a separate phone interview.
Puno said the Italian hostage is ill and suffering from hernia. Hernia is a general term used to describe a bulge or protrusion of an organ through the structure or muscle that usually contains it.
“I have asked Governor Sakur Tan is we can send a doctor to examiner Eugenio Vagni,” he told reporters in Zamboanga City.
Puno said security forces would not pull out troops from Indanan town unless the Abu Sayyaf is to free the hostages. “We will not pull out the troops unless it is connected to the release of the hostages in a certain area,” he said.
More policemen were sent to Sulu to help secure the area where the hostages are being held captive.
Police said it wanted to end the hostage crisis peacefully soon. “We are exerting all efforts to help in peacefully resolving this crisis,” Verzosa said.
The Abu Sayyaf has repeatedly threatened to kill the remaining hostages if the military and police do not pull out from several areas in Sulu. Security forces have surrounded the jungle lair of the Abu Sayyaf in the town of Indanan to prevent the terrorists from escaping with their captives.
Hundreds of armed village guards under the supervision of the police and the local mayors also put up a cordon around the Abu Sayyaf stronghold.
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. (Mindanao Examiner)
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