The United States is prepared to assist the Philippines in its plan to rescue three members of the International Committee of the Red Cross from their abductors in Sulu, Ambassador Kristie Ann Kenney said yesterday.

But the Americans will limit their role to intelligence gathering and refrain from participating in the actual operations, Kenney told reporters at Camp Crame. ?We stand ready to assist within the limitation of our roles here and if there?s some way some information we have, we will certainly provide that.?

Kenney expressed optimism that the Red Cross members? abduction will soon be resolved by police and military.

Authorities are working to rescue Andreas Notter, 38, the Swiss head of the ICRC office in Zamboanga City; Italian Eugenio Vagni, 62; and Filipino engineer Jean Lacaba, 37, of Davao City, who were in Mindanao conducting humanitarian mission.

They were kidnapped allegedly by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group at the Area Coordinating Center, a conference hall between the provincial capitol and provincial jail in Jolo, before noon Thursday.

?I know many, many people are working hard to get their safe recovery I can say that we call immediately on those who have taken them to release them, now, and we want those people brought to justice for an act that has no place in civilized world,? Kenney said.

Police Chief Jesus Verzosa said police and military officers are trying their best to ensure the safety of the hostages. ?As we have always been doing in other incidents, we have to ensure the safety of the victims and that is our main concern,? said Verzosa. Romie A. Evangelista