Escaped prisoners join Abu Sayyaf

Manila: Eleven prisoners who escaped from jail have joined up with an Al Qaida linked terror group that has been holding three Red Cross workers in the southern Philippines since January 15, sources told Gulf News.

"The 11 prisoners who [escaped from] the provincial jail in Patikul town on January 13 have already joined the Abu Sayyaf group, which is now holding the Red Cross workers," said Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, Sulu police chief.

Raden Abu, a guard who was dismissed after the jail break, kidnapped three members of the International Committee of the Red Cross - Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba - while they were inspecting a water and sanitation project at the prison facility on January 15.

Abu handed over the prisoners to Abu Sayyaf chief Yasser Igasan, and his deputy, Albader Parad, said another source. Previously, Philippine authorities identified the terrorist group as being behind the kidnapping.

Jajulie Jupakkal, another warden dismissed over the jailbreak, was shot dead by one of two motorcycle gunmen in the capital town of Jolo on March 2.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group had recommended Jupakkal's suspension to pave way for an impartial investigation into the jail break.

"This could be a vendetta killing," Kasim said, but did not provide any details.

Meanwhile, troops are reportedly waiting for an order to commence a rescue operation for the three hostages.

- With inputs by Rafael Juan, correspondent