PHILIPPINES: Fresh appeals to release ICRC hostages
MANILA, 17 March 2009 (IRIN) - After two days of intense clashes between government troops and Islamic Abu Sayyaf militants left three soldiers dead and more than 13 wounded, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has issued a fresh appeal for the gunmen to free three of its volunteers.
An Abu Sayyaf unit holding Mary Jean Lacaba of the Philippines, Andreas Notter of Switzerland and Eugenio Vagni of Italy tried to break through a tight military cordon around a jungle area on Jolo Island, triggering the fighting.
Several Abu Sayyaf rebels were also believed killed or wounded, including the commander, Albader Parad. The fate of the hostages remains unknown, more than two months after they were seized by militants while on a humanitarian mission on Jolo.
A grenade attack on a restaurant also left two civilians dead and three others wounded in what the police said could have been a diversionary tactic to ease military pressure.
Alain Aeschlimann, ICRC head for Asia Pacific operations, said his last contact with the hostages was on 11 March.
"The ICRC is aware that an exchange of gunfire took place in the region on Monday, 16 March. We're very concerned to hear about this development in light of the consequences it could have for our staff," Aeschlimann said in a statement.
"Their safety is paramount. We repeat our call that no action should be taken that could put the lives of Mary Jean, Eugenio and Andreas in danger. The responsibility for their well-being lies with all those involved in this situation," the ICRC official said.
He said no other information was available, and they were doing everything possible to re-establish contact with the group.
"The uncertainty and anxiety created by this type of situation is very difficult for the families to bear. It's frustrating for everyone that this has gone on for so long. Only the safe and rapid release of our colleagues can bring the families any real relief."
More attacks expected
Marine commander Lieutenant General Nelson Allaga, who oversees the operations on Jolo Island, said clearing operations were ongoing, although troops on the ground had not reported the exact whereabouts or fate of the hostages.
"We are scouring the area. We have not received any word about the hostages," he said. "We are now fighting the Abu Sayyaf terrorists who are trying to break through the cordon."
ICRC spokesman Roland Bigler said the kidnapping had forced the Geneva-based agency to suspend operations on Jolo, an impoverished island in the southern Mindanao region and a stronghold of several Muslim armed groups, including the Abu Sayyaf.
The ICRC has been working in the Philippines since 1982, and has more than 80 staff working for tens of thousands of people affected by the decades-old Muslim insurgency that has left over 120,000 people dead since the 1970s and stunted the growth of the mineral-rich region.
"Our operations are temporarily halted in Jolo, but will continue elsewhere," Bigler told IRIN.
Military spokesman Brigadier General Gaudencio Pangilinan said the army expected the Abu Sayyaf to carry out more attacks in the coming days, with the militants breaking out into smaller groups as they sought to evade the army dragnet.
Officials on Jolo said several dozen families near the town of Indanan where the clashes occurred had sought temporary shelters elsewhere in fear of being caught in the crossfire. Relief assistance was being arranged for them, although they were believed to be safe now.
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Copyright © IRIN 2009
This material comes to you via IRIN, the humanitarian news and analysis service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the United Nations or its Member States.
IRIN is a project of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
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