Gordon wants proof of life from Abu Sayyaf kidnappers

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Richard Gordon on Wednesday sought from the Abu Sayyaf “proof of life" that it has not harmed the three International Committee of the Red Cross workers who it threatened to behead Tuesday. In a radio interview, Gordon said he wants to talk to the three to rebuild the confidence that was lost following recent developments on the matter. "Gusto kong makausap ang tatlo, confidence building na naman yan [I want to talk to the three. It is a measure to rebuild confidence]," said Gordon, who is also chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross. He said they remain concerned about the fate of Mary Jean Lacaba, Eugenio Vagni and Andreas Notter despite claims by Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan they were still alive as of Tuesday night. On the other hand, Gordon said he has not contacted the Abu Sayyaf since Tan imposed a state of emergency in Sulu Tuesday afternoon. "Tinetext nila ako but like I said di ako tumatawag hanggang di nila sabihin. O kaya tumawag sila, tatawag ako para di maubusan sila ng load [They would send me text messages but I will not call them until they say so. Or they would call me and I would call back so they can save their cell phone load]," he said. Gordon also appealed to the Abu Sayyaf not to interpret the Red Cross symbol as a religious offense. "Pareho yan eh. Pero hindi pwedeng dalawang symbols sa isang bansa. Pag pinili mo ang Red Cross, Red Cross ka na. Sa Indonesia Red Cross. Hindi naman religious ang symbol na yan, basta ang simbolong yan pag nakita mo (The Red Cross and the Red Crescent are the same. But you cannot have both symbols in one country. In the case of Indonesia, it chose the Red Cross. Besides, it is not a religious symbol]," he said. Meanwhile, Gordon voiced fears even the PNRC may pull out of the Sulu area after the ICRC did so, especially if government fails to take measures to prevent another abduction. "Nariyan pa ang Red Cross pero ang ICRC wala na. Yan ang pinangambahan ko, pag may nangyari riyan baka Red Cross mawawala riyan [The PNRC is still there but the ICRC has pulled out of there. My fear is that if something like this happens again, the PNRC may pull out of the area too]," he said. - GMANews.TV