Top security officials flew to Sulu province Thursday as hundreds of troops advanced to the suspected lairs of the splintered Abu Sayyaf group holding Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno and National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa met with Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan at his residence in Sulu province to assess the full military operations against the bandits.

Puno said in a press conference that based on latest information gathered by police and military intelligence units, Vagni is currently holed up in a particular area in Indanan town.

He said the Italian Red Cross worker, who is reportedly unable to walk, may be holed up in a hut in the middle of Indanan’s jungle.

He added that Vagnie may still be in the general area in Indanan town, where Red Cross worker Andreas Notter was recovered by police and civilian volunteers.

Puno added that the group led by Abu Sayyaf commanders Albader Parad and Yasser Igasan has splintered into four small groups.

The official assured that the specific group keeping Vagni is not a target of the offensives.

Puno also announced that the government is willing to pay P500,000 reward to civilians who could help authorities pinpoint Vagni's location.

Clash

Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, Sulu provincial police director, said police and members of the Civilian Emergency Force on Wednesday night chanced upon the group of Parad and Igasan in Talipao town.

At the press conference, Puno said the Abu Sayyaf commanders’ group took a pumpboat from Barangay Langkawa in Parang town.

He said the group was to join forces with Abu Sayyaf commander Radulan Sahiron.

The interior secretary said Vagni was not sighted with the Parad and Igasan’s group.

The government on Wednesday ordered 2,000 soldiers and policemen to move closer to the bandits’ hideout in Indanan town and to rescue the remaining Abu Sayyaf hostage.

Tan had said the troops have been ordered to move within striking distance of the bandits’ lair.

The 62-year-old Italian volunteer was kidnapped with Notter and Filipina Red Cross member, Mary Jean Lacaba, last January 15 while on a visit to the Sulu provincial jail in Patikul town.

Lacaba was freed by the bandits last April 2 while Notter was found by policemen on Saturday morning.

Government officials have denied ransom money were paid to the kidnappers for the two Red Cross workers’ release. With reports from Queenie Casimiro, Ina Reformina and Noel Alamar, ABS-CBN News