T he government's provincial crisis committee in Sulu has sought the help of a group of Ulama to assist in its resolve to secure the release of the two remaining workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) being held as captives by the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group in the outskirts of Indanan town.

Marine Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, the designated military spokesman for the Sulu kidnapping crisis, said the crisis committee headed by Sulu Gov. Abdusakkur Tan made the move on Tuesday as part of the government's efforts for the safe release of the two foreign ICRC workers.

"The Provincial Crisis Committee headed by Gov. Abdusakkur Tan dealing with the ICRC kidnapping has commissioned today the help of a group of Ulamas to secure the release of Eugenio Vagni and Andreas Notter from the bandit Abu Sayyaf Group," he said.

Earlier, Tan declared state of emergency in the entire province that resulted to intensified and coordinated efforts by various government agencies in dealing with the crisis. Such move led to the safe release of Filipina Marie Jean Lacaba by the Abu Sayyaf band of sub-commander Albader Parad.

Arevalo also disclosed reports showing that Vagni could be ill.

"Intelligence reports reveal that Vagni is afflicted with Hernia. This is a medical condition that physicians say could be serious and thus requires immediate medical attention," he said.

The three ICRC workers were snatched by armed men on January 15 after inspecting a project at the Sulu provincial jail in Patikul town. They were subsequently turned over to the Abu Sayyaf band of Parad.

"At this point when the kidnappers have not been clear with their demands and with the health condition of one of the victims threatening, the efforts by the Ulamas can be very crucial," Arevalo explained.

Ulamas are senior leaders in Muslim communities and have the highest respect among their fellow Muslims.

While government security forces continue to apply calibrated pressure on areas identified as lairs of the terrorists in Sulu, Arevalo stressed they remained hopeful for the safe and unconditional release of Vagni and Notter just like what happened to Lacaba.

"We believe in the primacy of life of the kidnapped ICRC workers. We remain optimists looking at every possibility of getting the kidnap victims alive without firefight or bloodshed. Hence, we are supportive of and allow every opportunity for the Crisis Committee to negotiate for the victims’ safe release," the Marine colonel said.