BY RAYMOND AFRICA

KIDNAPPERS of three workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross have reportedly contacted Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, head of the Area Coordinating Committee, and demanded a stop to rescue operations being conducted by the police and military so that negotiations could start.

But Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, said ICRC does not intend to negotiate with the kidnappers believed to be Abu Sayyaf members.

Tan said authorities would use "Islamic persuasion" for the "unconditional release" of Swiss Andreas Notter, 38, Italian Eugenio Vagni, 62, and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba who were abducted Thursday last week by suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf after a visit to the jail at the Sulu provincial capitol.

Chief Supt. Bensali Jabarani, chief of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said the kidnappers led by Albader Parad have not made any ransom demand.

A police report said the abductors and their hostages were spotted in Indanan, Sulu Saturday.

A report from Camp Crame’s National Operations Center said the kidnappers and their hostages were seen in Sitio Lungon-Lungon, Barangay Kuppong in Indanan.

The report said the three were first brought to Mount Aluk in Sitio Lumbaan, Barangay Bangalan in Indanan town, then transferred to Barangay Kagay and sitio Lungon-Lungon in Barangay Kuppong.

It said the abductors could have later separated their victims. One of the foreigners was spotted in Sitio Tambuang, Barangay Tubig, Samin, Sulu, guarded by at least 30 armed men.

The report also said the kidnappers used the victims’ service vehicle belonging to the Sulu chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross in moving the victims. The vehicle was found abandoned on the same day of the abduction. On inspection, police found P49,000 in cash, a laptop computer, and an undetermined amount of dollars.

Police have set up checkpoints in Suaua and Anoling, both in Patikul town.

Tan, in a radio interview, asked politicians especially those seeking re-election in 2010 not to use the issue for "media mileage."

He said information dissemination should be left to the Armed Forces or the interior department.

The military has imposed an apparent news blackout.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, chief of the AFP public information office, said they are "suspending operational updates" on military operations in Sulu so as not to endanger the captives and compromise rescue efforts.

He said the public would be informed of "significant developments on the incident."

When pressed if this is a news blackout, Torres said it is only on the "operational aspect."

"We can still give you some updates on the developments but not on the location of the troops, the unit of the troops involved in the operation, like that. It’s purely on the operational updates," he added.

Tan, in the radio interview, would not say if they have established contact with the kidnappers.

The ICRC on Saturday said the three workers called last Friday, saying they were safe.

Tan, asked if they are also imposing a news blackout, said: "Not necessarily news blackout. What we are saying is get feedback from us and refrain from making unnecessary statements. Leave this to us."
Tan said operations are being coordinated with Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., AFP chief Gen. Alexander Yano, and PNP chief Jesus Verzosa.

Roland Bigler, ICRC communication delegate, said the agency could not give details "because it is a very sensitive issue."

Jean-Daniel Tauxe, head of the ICRC’s Philippine delegation, said, "We are not in a position to comment further since our main priority is ensuring that nothing jeopardizes their safety."

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front lashed at Teodoro for rejecting its offer to help in securing the freedom of the hostages.

Khaled Musa, deputy chair of the MILF’s committee on information, said there will come a time when the MILF will be "the only force to reckon with in Sulu," a bailiwick of the Abu Sayyaf.