Negotiations for the release of the remaining staff member of the International Committee of the Red Cross who is still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group has reportedly hit a snag.

The Sulu crisis management committee has reportedly lost contact with the kidnappers holding Italian Eugenio Vagni following the recovery of his colleague, Swiss Andreas Notter last April 18.

Officials said that they believe Vagni is still in the general area where Notter was found.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno meanwhile said they will continue to coordinate with Islamic preachers in efforts to negotiate for Vagni's freedom

Puno added, however, that authorities will also keep putting pressure on the bandits who reportedly have split up into four smaller groups.

A company of the police’s Special Action Forces has been deployed to help pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.

School building in Indanan torched

Meanwhile reports said suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits were behind the burning of a newly-constructed, six-classroom school building in Indanan town in Sulu.

The school building is located near a military detachment in Barangay Pasil in Indanan.

Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, Sulu police chief, said the incident could be a diversionary tactic of the Abu Sayyaf Group as the troops and police continue to pursue the group holding the last Red Cross hostage.

Troops advance

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

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

Puno had said that the abductors of the Italian Red Cross worker, who is reportedly unable to walk, may be holed up with Vagni in a hut in the middle of Indanan’s jungle.

He added that Vagni may still be in the general area in Indanan town, where 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.