ICRC says has not had ransom demand in Philippines
09 Apr 2009 12:44:21 GMT Source: Reuters
* ICRC says has not received ransom demands from militants * Policy is not to pay for release of its aid workers GENEVA, April 9 (Reuters) - The International Committee of the Red Cross said on Thursday it had not received any ransom demands from Islamist militants holding two European staff in the Philippines. But a Red Cross statement said its policy was not to pay for the release of its aid workers. A Philippines military report seen by reporters in Manila on Tuesday said that the Abu Sayyaf group that kidnapped three ICRC workers on Jolo on Jan. 15 had demanded a $5 million ransom. The rebels had threatened to behead one of the hostages. One of them, Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba, was freed in early April but Swiss national Andreas Notter and Italian Eugenio Vagni are still being held. "I would like to make it very clear that since the very beginning of the hostage crisis the ICRC has never received any such (ransom) demands," said Alain Aeschlimann, head of ICRC operations for East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. As far as the neutral humanitarian agency was aware, the abductors have only been repeating their demand for a troop pullout, he said in a statement posted on its website www.icrc.org. "As a matter of policy, the ICRC does not pay ransoms when its staff are kidnapped," Aeschlimann said. Making an exception to the ICRC's longstanding policy might endanger its security and capacity to work in conflict zones worldwide, including the Philippines. "We remain hopeful that a positive resolution of the crisis can be achieved and are sparing no effort to this end," he said. The Geneva-based ICRC repeated its appeal for the hostages to be released immediately and unconditionally. Aeschlimann urged all involved to avoid taking any action that could put the hostages' lives at risk. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Jonathan Lynn)
Anti-riot policemen block a theater artist members who protest outside the US Embassy in Manila April 1, 2009 to dramatize the sufferings and passion of the people as the predominantly Catholic ...
