Philippines mulls hostage rescue

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Philippine security forces surrounding Islamist rebels have been told to prepare to rescue an ailing Italian hostage "at the first opportunity".

Abdusakur Tan, governor of the southern province of Sulu, acknowledged a rescue operation would be risky but said he had no other option.

Eugenio Vagni, an Italian Red Cross worker, was seized on Jolo Island along with two colleagues in January.

One of his fellow hostages was freed and the other was apparently abandoned.

At least 1,000 troops and police are surrounding the Abu Sayyaf rebels in the township of Indanan.

Mr Vagni is suffering from hypertension and needs surgery for a hernia, Mr Tan said.

In March, the rebels threatened to behead a hostage unless all military operations against them were halted and troops withdrew from the area.

"When we see the opportunity, of course we want to extricate him," the governor told reporters.

"Given the opportunity, we will do that. We have to consider the health condition of Mr Vagni."