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Gordon seeks special prayers for abducted Red Cross workers


MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) asked Red Cross chapters nationwide Sunday to offer special prayers for three abducted International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers, one month after their abduction in Sulu. PNRC chairman Sen. Richard Gordon made the call as he voiced serious concern over the protracted ordeal of the three ICRC workers – Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba. "As the law enforcement authorities have been exerting all efforts to secure their safe and immediate release, we are deeply concerned that our three colleagues are under so much stress, to say the very least, and therefore, they mostly need our prayers and sacrifices," he said in an article on the PNRC Web site (www.redcross.org.ph). Gordon issued a circular to all PNRC chapters nationwide, especially in Mindanao, for daily prayer meetings or vigils, eucharistic celebrations, interfaith rallies and sala among Muslim communities. He asked that all Red Cross workers and volunteers offer special prayers at 6 p.m. to show unity, solidarity and brotherhood with the three ICRC workers. Members of the Abu Sayyaf abducted Notter, Vagni and Lacaba in Sulu last Jan. 15. Efforts are still ongoing for their safe release. "I enjoin all to continue on praying for their safe and immediate release… until such time we are assured that our fellow Red Cross workers are out of harm's way and can safely return home with their families and loved ones," he said. He also reminded all Red Cross workers and volunteers to stay strong and continue fulfilling the Red Cross' mission of giving humanitarian assistance to all needy people amid the crisis. "We should remain strong [amid] the crisis and not relent on our firm commitment to bring aid and relief to all people in need whoever and wherever they are," he said. Also, he appealed to Red Cross chapters nationwide to continue on appealing to the government, notably the military and police troops, to exhaust all peaceful and diplomatic means to bring about the ICRC workers' safe release. - GMANews.TV
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