Gordon appeals anew to Abu Sayyaf

(Updated 3:13 p.m.) MANILA, Philippines — Minutes before the 2 p.m. deadline, Senator Richard Gordon appealed to Abu Sayyaf militants not to push with their threat to behead one of the three abducted workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). "Huling pakiusap sa Abu Sayyaf, pawalan po ninyo sina Andreas Notter, Eugenio Vagni, at ang ating kababayan na si Mary Jean Lacaba. Wala po silang kasalanan sa inyo kung hindi magsilbi, kung hindi bisitahahin kayo sa preso, pagmalasakitan ang kapwa-tao," a teary-eyed Gordon said in a press conference at the Red Cross headquarters. The press conference was aired over television [Our last appeal to the Abu Sayyaf is to please release Andreas Notter, Eugenio Vagni, and our fellow Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba… they have done nothing wrong against you except for giving you assistance, visiting you in jails, give help to the needy, provide food for the hungry, cure the wounded, and care for their fellow men.] The senator also appealed to the government forces for sobriety in order to minimize casualties. “Hanggat maaari ay pagsikapan nating maresolba ang problemang ito sa maayos na paraan at mauwi sa kaligtasan ng ating mga kasama sa Red Cross [Let us do our best to resolve the matter in a peaceful way for the safe release of our Red Cross colleagues]," Gordon said. He also asked the Filipino people to pray that no other violent incidents would happen. ‘No glory in killing hostages’ Gordon, who turned emotional, reminded the bandits that killing is not tantamount to bravery. “At sa humahawak, hindi po katapangan ang kumitil ng buhay ng tao. Wala pong glory diyan sa ginagawa ninyong ‘yan. Hindi po kayo lalong tatapang ngunit lalo nyong maididiin ang inyong sarili. Kaya ako po ay nakikiusap na tigilan po ninyo kung ano ang tangkain niyo sa kahulihulihang pagkakataon na ito," Gordon said. [And to those holding the victims, killing is not tantamount to bravery. There’s no glory in what you’re doing. You will not become braver; instead you will put yourselves further into trouble. That’s why I am asking you to stop whatever your plans are for the last time.] Notter, Vagni, and Lacaba, all working for the ICRC, were abducted by gunmen last January 15 in Sulu province’s main island of Jolo. On Monday, the Abu Sayyaf faction lead by sub-commander Albader Parad demanded that the government pull out from 14 Sulu villages before 2 p.m. or they would behead one of the victims. But Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said it was impossible for the government to withdraw troops from the areas demanded by the gunmen to be vacated. Puno said there was not enough time and that a wider pullout would leave the island's civilian population exposed to militant attacks. As of posting time, the government has yet to hear a word from Parad regarding the victims’ condition. ‘Is there still hope?’ Lacaba has earlier said she was already losing hope that the government could act to prevent any of them from being beheaded. She also appealed for the government to heed the Abu Sayyaf’s demand. “Gawin na nila, please. Umaasa kami na ganito ang ginagawa tapos at the end of the day, wala naman nangyayari. Mauubos na yung oras. Walong araw na yung palugit na ibinigay. Hanggang ngayon last minute, ganito pa rin. May pag-asa pa ba o wala?," Lacaba said in an interview on dzEC radio with broadcaster Arlyn dela Cruz Tuesday morning. [Please have their troops withdrawn. We have been hoping that one of us will be freed, but at the end of the day, nothing will happen. Time is running out. It has been eight days since a deadline was set. But up to the last minute, nothing is happening. Should we still even hope?] She also expressed dismay and fears for the lives of her fellow volunteers, saying President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo seems unaware of their situation. Lacaba then appealed to the government to do concrete actions instead of merely paying lip service. Aie Balagtas See and Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV