Pope appeals for release of three Red Cross workers

(March 31, 2009):- Pope Benedict XVI made a fervent appeal on Monday for the release of three kidnapped volunteers of the Red Cross in the Philippines, said a communiqué of the Holy See’s Press Office. In a message sent to the Philipine Bishops Conference, the Pope, in the name of God asked for their liberation and begged the authorities to favour a peaceful solution to the dramatic episode. In the message, the Pope also expressed his concern for the families, and all those, who have at heart the safety of the 3 humanitarian workers. The Pope prayed that compassion and reason may have the upper hand over violence and intimidation.
Christians and Muslims across the Philippines are also praying for the release of the hostages and for an end to kidnappings.
Jakob Kellenberger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross , ICRC, launched appeals again on Monday for the liberation of the three hostages. In his appeal, Kellenberger turned to the militants of Abu Sayyaf saying : “All they were doing was helping people in need in your area. There is no ideology or religious law that could justify killing them” .
An extremist group linked to Abu Sayyaf, on January 15^th, kidnapped three ICRC volunteers on the island of Jolo in the southern part of the country. The deadline set for the beheading of one of the 3 hostages, if the government did not withdraw its troops from the island has passed.   The Philippine government has declared a state of emergency on the island of Jolo,after having launched a last appeal to kidnappers to release their hostages.