Green light given for hostage rescue

MANILA, Philippines, April 23 (UPI) -- Philippine military and police have been given authority to proceed with operations to rescue the remaining Red Cross worker held by Islamic extremists.

The Sulu provincial crisis committee that has been negotiating the release Italian Eugenio Vagni from the Abu Sayyaf militant group has told the security forces to proceed "if there is an opportunity," the Philippine Star reported Thursday.

"Given the opportunity we will do that ... it is how it should be, given that, when we see the opportunity of course we want to extricate (Vagni)," said Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, chairman of the crisis committee.

Vagni reportedly has been in serious pain because of a hernia.

He has been held captive since Jan. 15 when he kidnapped along with Andreas Notter of Switzerland and Filipino Jean Mary Lacaba. Notter and Lacaba were released separately this month.

Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said Wednesday his troops were continuing to keep the heat on the militants.

"Aside from the calibrated pressure to deny the bandits freedom of movement, the kidnappers are saddled with the fact that Vagni is not ambulant and must be carried," he said.