MANILA, Philippines - Some 2,000 people from various civic and religious organizations including Islamic communities in Quezon City converged early Wednesday evening at the Quezon City Hall plaza to participate in the interfaith rally sponsored by the Philippine National Red Cross for the safe and immediate release of three Red Cross workers being held captive by Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu province.
The interfaith rally is in response to the call of Philippine National Red Cross chairman Sen.Richard Gordon to all administrators of PNRC nationwide to continue praying for the safe release of Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba who were abducted by armed men after they visited a water sanitation project last Jan 15.
“I enjoin all to continue praying for the safe and immediate release until such time we are assured that our fellow Red Cross workers are out of harm’s way and can safely refurn home with their families and loved ones,” Gordon said.
Roberto Jaymalin, executive director of the Muslim Consultative Council in Quezon City appealed to his brother Muslims who are holding the hostages to free them as the government is addressing the problem of the Islamic communities across the country.
He said the efforts of the city government in promoting the welfare of the Muslims by the setting up of Madrasah schools and Islamic cemetery is a clear example that their basic needs are being provided at the local level.
Jaymalin said the act of kidnapping is un-Islamic and urged the kidnappers to release the hostages as the whole Muslim community is also concerned of the plight of the hostages.