Red Cross workers plead for help

MANILA, Philippines, April 14 (UPI) -- Two International Committee of the Red Cross workers held hostage for three months have pleaded with Philippine authorities to help secure their release.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported Tuesday that Swiss national Andreas Notter and Italian Eugenio Vagni are being held hostage in the Indanan forest on Jolo Island.

"Take me out as soon as possible," Vagni told Philippine Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, on Sunday. "I can't make it anymore ... . Time is very short for me."

Vagni is believed to be suffering from a hernia.

The men were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf members Jan. 15 while working to improve the water supply to a local jail. A third hostage, Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba, was freed by the kidnappers last month.