PostHeaderIcon Sri Lankan hostage freed, but Italian ICRC humanitarian worker still under Abu Sayyaf hands



After 3 months in captivity in Basilan, Omar Jaleel, the 36 year-old Sri Lankan community worker affiliated with the non partisan group Nonviolent Peaceforce was released by Abu Sayyaf bandits.

However, the ailing Eugenio Vagni, the Italian humanitarian worker of the International Committee of the Red Cross snatched last January 15, 2009 is still being held by the same group of militants in the hinterlands of Jolo, Sulu. In spite of a reward money of P500,000 for information about his location, nobody is sure of his whereabouts. His companions Swiss Adreas Notter and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba have been set free.

The Abu Sayyaf is a notorious Islamic group of about 400 fighters with links to Al Qaeda which abducts innocent civilians to raise funds. The government says the bandits collected about $1.5 million as ransom money from victims last year. (Photo Credit: Sheltercrow) =0=

RELATED BLOGS: "9 hostages are still captives of Abu Sayyaf bandits Mindanao" Posted by mesiamd at 4/21/2009; "ICRC hostage crisis: Abu Sayyaf’s Swiss captive freed" Posted by mesiamd at 4/18/2009

============================================================

Blog Archive

Topics/Categories

Feedjit Live Blog Stats

Topics/Categories

Add to Technorati Favorites

Ateneo de Naga HS Batch 74

ABS-CBN News

GMA News.tv

Philippine Commentary

Inquirer Breaking News