Abducted volunteers renew contact with ICRC

MANILA, Philippines - The three staff members of the International Commission of the Red Cross (ICRC) who were abducted earlier this month in southern Philippines contacted their colleagues last weekend. ICRC Asia-Pacific operations head Alain Aeschlimann said the three - Mary-Jean Lacaba, a Filipino; Eugenio Vagni, an Italian; and Andreas Notter, a Swiss - contacted them again after almost a week of non-communication. Aeschlimann said the three told them they were "safe and in good health." "We have had contact by telephone with them the past 48 hours. They say that considering the circumstances, they are doing alright. Their voices sounded composed and calm and we hope that this is a positive sign," Aeschlimann said in an article posted on the ICRC website. Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, said he was among those who were contacted by the three. He however remained tight-lipped on the details of the conversation. "I have personally spoken to them over the weekend. They are well," Gordon said. Unidentified armed men seized Lacaba, Vagni and Notter in Sulu province last Jan. 15. The three got in touch with their colleagues initially but contact was suddenly cut late last week. Aeschlimann said the ICRC "genuinely appreciates" all efforts to bring the three colleagues safely home and the concern of so many people inside and outside the ICRC for their welfare. On the other hand, he declined to make further comments, lest they endanger the three. "We are concerned that any further public comments by us at this stage could complicate efforts to bring about the safe and rapid return of Marie-Jean, Eugenio and Andreas. I am sure both the media and the public understand this," he said. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV