Press Release
June 7, 2009

Gordon hopeful that peace in Mindanao is within reach

Senator Richard J. Gordon (Ind.) today expressed hope that lasting peace in Mindanao is just around the corner and the vicious abductions perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf is about to come to an end.

Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), aired this hope after the militants reportedly released Sri Lankan peace worker Omar Jaleel after almost four months in captivity.

"This reported release of the Sri Lankan peace worker and the release of several other hostages including our colleagues in the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) Mary Jean Lacaba and Andreas Notter without ransom being paid is a positive sign," he said.

"It strengthens my belief that the Abu Sayyaf is now divided into two factions - one that is ready to discuss peace and one that still wants to go on with their old ways," he added.

The Abu Sayyaf has also been blamed for numerous bombings and beheadings. Reports said it raised more than $1.5 million last year through ransom payments.

Jaleel, a 36-year-old activist, was snatched by gunmen from his home in Basilan's Lamitan township on Feb. 13. He worked with the nonpartisan group Nonviolent Peaceforce, which has been monitoring a decades-long Muslim separatist rebellion in the Philippines .

Last month, the Abu Sayyaf released three teachers after being held in captivity for at least four months.

Turned over to negotiators were Freires Quizon, Janette delos Reyes and Raphael Mayonado, who were abducted off Landang Gua Island in Zamboanga.

Lacaba and Notter, two of the three ICRC workers abducted last Jan. 15 after inspecting a water sanitation project in a Jolo jail, were also released earlier.

Gordon also renewed his appeal for the release of ICRC worker - Italian Eugenio Vagni - who is seriously ill and still in Abu Sayyaf hands.

He added Vagni phoned his wife recently, thus belying reports that he has been killed.

"Please release our colleague. We are aware that he is still alive. He called his wife a few days ago... Vagni was a subject of rumors that he has been killed," the PNRC chairman said.

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