ASIA/PHILIPPINES - One of the Abu Sayyaf hostages released, however “the nightmare is not over yet”

Zamboanga (Agenzia Fides) – A ray of hope for the watchful and expectant world, anxiously awaiting word of the other hostages, came with the release of Mary Jean Lacaba, one of the three Red Cross workers kidnapped on January 15 in the Philippines, by the “Abu Sayyaf” terrorist group. Eugenio Vagni, Italian, and Andreas Notter, Swiss, continue in captivity, while contacts and negotiations for their release intensify. The Filipino government has listened to the international community's plea and have avoided using force against the Islamic rebels.
The Red Cross expressed their joy at the release of Lacaba after 78 days in captivity, however referring to the other two workers in captivity, they mentioned that “the nightmare is not over yet.”
In the meantime, the Catholics on Jolo Island continue to pray in the churches and at home. Fides sources say that the Ecclesial Base Communities have played a major role in the area, especially with the non-Christians living there. Bishop Angelito Lampon, Apostolic Vicar of Jolo, affirmed that the Catholic faithful “continue praying for peace and reconciliation at each Mass, asking the Lord to convert hears and save the hostages, with the certainty that, “evil will not have the last word.” The Catholic faithful are working to end the conflicts and divisions in religion and ethnicity, trying to establish harmony and healthy relations in society.
The Bishop recalled the experience of his predecessor, Bishop Benjamin de Jesus (OMI), who was killed in Jolo in 1997, in front of the Cathedral: “May his noble sacrifice inspire political leaders, the Sulu and Tawi-tawi population, and the entire nation to work and pray for peace,” he said.
The Apostolic Vicariate in Jolo includes the civil provinces of Sulu and Tawi-tawi, in South Philippines, including 450 islands. Only 3% of the population is Catholic in this largely Muslim area.
Jolo Island is the headquarters of the “Abu Sayyaf,” an Islamic fundamentalist group considered terrorists by the international community. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 3/4/2009)