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Aid workers taken in Philippines Aid workers taken in Philippines
(10 minutes later)
Gunmen have abducted three aid workers from Italy, Switzerland and the Philippines on southern Jolo island, the Philippine National Red Cross says.Gunmen have abducted three aid workers from Italy, Switzerland and the Philippines on southern Jolo island, the Philippine National Red Cross says.
The Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon said the three were in a car on their way to Jolo airport.The Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon said the three were in a car on their way to Jolo airport.
They had been visiting a local jail when they were intercepted by armed men on motorbikes, he said.They had been visiting a local jail when they were intercepted by armed men on motorbikes, he said.
The island is a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf group, which is notorious for kidnappings and terror attacks.The island is a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf group, which is notorious for kidnappings and terror attacks.
Senator Gordon said the aid workers' driver and two other Filipinos were released and reported the incident.Senator Gordon said the aid workers' driver and two other Filipinos were released and reported the incident.
Reuters new agency said that marine officials on Jolo confirmed the incident.Reuters new agency said that marine officials on Jolo confirmed the incident.
"I am appealing to the Abu Sayyaf to free those people, because they are neutral in any conflict," Senator Gordon said."I am appealing to the Abu Sayyaf to free those people, because they are neutral in any conflict," Senator Gordon said.
"they do not realise this but these people help them if they get wounded and get them out of the conflict areas," he said."they do not realise this but these people help them if they get wounded and get them out of the conflict areas," he said.
Abu Sayyaf has twice attacked luxury beach resorts and taken away tourists, including Westerners.Abu Sayyaf has twice attacked luxury beach resorts and taken away tourists, including Westerners.
They have held them for months at a time and secured large ransoms for their release.They have held them for months at a time and secured large ransoms for their release.
In 2001, three kidnap victims, including an American, were beheaded by their captors.In 2001, three kidnap victims, including an American, were beheaded by their captors.
The Abu Sayyaf has also been blamed for the bombing of a ferry near Manila Bay in 2004 that killed 100 people.The Abu Sayyaf has also been blamed for the bombing of a ferry near Manila Bay in 2004 that killed 100 people.
Sometimes linked to al Qaeda militants, the Abu Sayyaf group has focused on kidnaps for ransom.