ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Kidnappings continue in South Philippines after talks between government and rebels end

Zamboanga (Agenzia Fides) – The local community and the Church is troubled at the kidnapping of three Red Cross workers on the island of Jolo. Their names are Eugenio Vagni (Italian), Andreas Notter (Swiss), and Jean Lacaba (Filipino). The island is home to a terrorist group named “Abu Sayyaf” (“God's Sword”), known for their kidnapping and main actors in the act.
In recent days, the local Church has sent out an alert to religious and missionaries, as well as foreign NGO workers, foreign businessmen, and all those who could be targeted by the criminals.
Merlie Mendoza, a Spanish volunteer from a local NGO, continues to be in the hands of the kidnappers (an armed group on the island of Basilan) who took her hostage on September 15 along with another worker, Esperanzita Hupida, who was later set free. There are many businessmen – even those of Chinese and Filipino background – who have suffered the same fate in an area with low security levels. Just a few months ago, Fr. Felimon Libot, a Claretian priest and Director of a school in Isabella City, suffered a kidnapping attempt which was fortunately not successful. Bishop Martin Jumoad of the Prelature of Isabella, on Basilan, has asked religious personnel to take extra precaution and be especially prudent, trusting in the work of the law enforcement, which is supposed to ensure security and peace in the province.
The current situation has been worsened by the collapse in the peace process between the government and the rebel groups of the Islamic Liberation Front, which has set in motion a new wave of violence across the southern Philippine islands and has given guerrilla groups and armed bands an excuse to take up arms. This is where the criminal bands that use terrorist methods, like Abu Sayyaf, prosper.
The question of the Muslim minority (a community of 6 million people) that live in the South Philippines and their call for autonomy remains an open question. In the 70s, the general lack of satisfaction led to the formation of Islamic guerrilla movements calling for independence. The negotiations with the government in Manila, for a federalist solution, gave some fruits, however in 2008 the negotiations came to an end. The reopening of the conflict has led to an authentic humanitarian emergency on Mindanao Island, where 500,000 people have been evacuated. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/1/2009)