Rebels threaten to behead ICRC worker in Philippines

[AlphaCentauri]

Source: Reuters

MANILA, March 18 (Reuters) - The leader of an Islamist rebel group which kidnapped three Red Cross officers in the southern Philippines threatened on Wednesday to behead one of the European hostages if troops did not stop pursuing them.

Philippine marines exchanged gunfire with Abu Sayyaf rebels on Tuesday. The military said up to nine people, including three soldiers, were killed and dozens wounded but it said the fighting was not an attempt to free the hostages.

"Remember, if they pursue the operations and they come close to us and another firefight erupts, I will behead one of the European ICRC hostages," Albader Parad, the leader of the Abu Sayyaf rebels, said in a radio interview.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) hostages -- Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba -- have been held on the remote southern island of Jolo since Jan. 15.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSMAN357065._CH_.2400

[AndyTiedye]

1. Taking RED CROSS People Hostage Is R-E-A-L-L-Y Stupid!

The Red Cross is the first with help when something terrible happens, while governments are still sitting on their hands.