Politics ruled out in abduction of Red Cross workers

A senior military official belied reports that the abduction of three Red Cross workers was politically motivated and masterminded by a political group out to humiliate Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan.

Maj. Gen. Nelson Allaga, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) commander, stressed that Abu Sayyaf terrorists were behind the kidnappings of Red Cross workers Andreas Notter, Eugenio Vagni and Mary Jean Lacaba last week and not some political group.

“The three workers are being held by the group of Al Bader Parad,” Allaga told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo where he attended yesterday’s Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAAI) general assembly.

Allaga said the military was ready to take the final option but would withhold this for now because it might jeopardize the safety of the hostages.  

“We will take the final option only with the concurrence of all the stakeholders in this particular case,” said Allaga, referring to the families of the victims and the Red Cross.

According to earlier reports, a politician in Sulu was behind the abduction of the volunteers.

The politician (whose name is being withheld by The STAR) is allegedly in cahoots with several local officials in abducting the three Red Cross workers just 15 meters away from the provincial capitol in Patikul to humiliate Tan.

A source in Sulu said the ones who carried out the abduction eventually “delivered” the victims to the Abu Sayyaf.

The source added that the victims were about to be freed last Thursday but Abu Sayyaf terrorists foiled the plan when they entered into the picture. – Jaime Laude