Filipino troops search for aid workers

16 Jan 2009, 5:43 pm   -   Source: AAP
Share This

Philippine troops searched for three kidnapped Red Cross workers but found no trace of them as fears mounted the kidnappers may hand them to Muslim militants.

RELATED

Philippine troops have searched for three kidnapped Red Cross workers in southern jungles but found no trace of them on Friday.

Fears are mounting that the kidnappers may hand them over to Muslim militants notorious for demanding ransom.

One day after gunmen dragged a Swiss, an Italian and a Filipino from their vehicle and took them into the interior of Jolo island's mountainous Patikul township area, military and police set up blockades and marines set out on foot in search of the hostages.

Deep mud, thick vegetation and monsoon rains were bogging down the search, and officials were giving few details for fear of jeopardising the operation.

"That jungle is so dense, you couldn't see each other even at a close distance," said Major General Juancho Sabban, head of Jolo's anti-terrorism taskforce.

He said the gunmen and hostages were headed toward nearby Indanan township, about 30 kilometres away from Jolo town where they were snatched.

He said they may turn them over to notorious Abu Sayyaf commander Albader Parad.

Military spokeswoman Lieutenant Estefani Cacho said troops had failed to catch up with the group.

"We believe at this point they are still running. We also have no word regarding any ransom demand."

The kidnapped workers were identified as Swiss Andreas Notter, 38; Italian Eugenio Vagni, 62; and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba, 37.

They had travelled to Jolo to inspect water sanitation projects in the provincial jail and in nearby Maimbung township.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said the kidnapping would not stop its activities in the Philippines.

Abu Sayyaf militants are notorious for beheading their hostages and are on a US list of terrorist organisations with links to al-Qaeda.

American counterterrorism troops were providing non-combat "assistance and advice" to Philippine forces, a US military official said.

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube