ZAMBOANGA CITY- Sulu Vice-Gov Nur-Ana “Lady Ann” Sahidulla denied that the kidnappers of three workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are demanding a $5-$10 million ransom for the release of their captives.

Sahidulla made ther statement as she confirmed she visited Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipina Jean Lacaba at the Abu Sayyaf’s lair last Fenruary 2.

“I only brought medicines and food for the three. I also brought a box containing their clothes and personal necessities sent by the Red Cross. There was no mention of the ransom demand,” Sahidulla said.

Sahidulla said the medicines were mainly for Jean Lacaba who was suffering from a stomach illness the last time she visited.

She said the members of the Abu Sayyaf Group led by Albader Parad had a different purpose this time. She said they even questioned her on the reported ransom demand.

“They were asking me about that ransom demand. They said, ‘What’s this? Where did this come from?’ The want to have a new life that was what they are demanding why they held the three,” Sahidulla added.

She reiterated the Abu Sayyaf members are asking for a livelihood program, education for the out-of-school youth and a total military pull-out from the province. Sahidulla said even then she told Parad’s group flatly, that a military pull-out was impossible.

The group also handed her a letter which stated several persons they wanted to negotiate with. “They wrote there names of Vice President Noli de Casto, and Anak Mindanao Partylist Representative Mujiv Hataman,” said the vice governor.

The lady vice governor also denied she knew the exact location of the Abu Sayyaf lair where she saw the ICRC hostages. "To be honest it was hilly,” she said.

Armed Forces’ chief Gen. Alexander Yano meanwhile arrived via commercial flight in Zamboanga City Tuesday morning and reportedly went to Jolo, Sulu. Military officials, including the Chief of Staff, refused however to be interviewed.

Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga confirmed nine civilians were reported injured last Monday night, in a mortar shelling launched by unidentified groups in Busbus, Jolo Sulu. The injured include two children, reports said. Allaga however refused to explain further, what the plans of the military are following the alleged “harassment.”

“Please don’t telegraph our moves,” he requested.