UP Ibalon Bicol: Italian hostage Eugenio Vagni released by Mindanao Abu Sayyaf Bandits

Italian hostage Eugenio Vagni released by Mindanao Abu Sayyaf Bandits

7/14/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

After months of captivity, the International Red Cross Committee (ICRC) volunteer who was abducted in January while assisting the setting up water supply in Jolo, Sulu was finally released. Eugenio Vagni, 62 year- old Italian, the last of the group of hostages taken forcibly by Abu Sayyaf under bandit Al Bader Parad through months of negotiation, intimidation, and coercion.

It was through the two wives of bandit-leader Parad namely Simang Annudin and Rowena Aksan and facilitation by Sulu Vice Gov. Ann Sahidulla. On July 12, 2009 in Maimbung, Jolo, Mindanao, the captors decided to release the Italian captive who was the companion of earlier-freed Swiss kidnap victim Andreas Notter and Filipina Mary Jane Lacaba.

Vagni, tired after the grueling 6-months captivity took rest prior to medical check-up as he prepared to return to Italy with wife Khawanrufan and two daughters Leticia and Norison.

It was assumed that Parad’s group had custody of Vagni, but it was the group headed by Yasser Igasan who freed the hostage. An “Islamic scholar not linked with ICRC abduction,” Ignasan, also Al-Qaeda-affiliated, had been thought to lead a subgroup of rebels replacing killed Islamic militant Khadaffy Janjalini.

Contrary to the no-ransom policy of the government, Sahidulla helped secure Vagni’s release by giving P50,000 worth of cigarettes. Yet, authorities were quick to defend the “goodwill’ gift as "acceptable" in dealing with the law-breakers.

As this developed, Sen Francis Escudero reminded the public of other hostages in Mindanao, particularly the 3 teachers Jocelyn Enriquez, Jocelyn Inion and Noemi Mandi of Bangkaw-Bangkaw Elementary School who were snatched last March 13, 2009 in Naga, Zamboanga Zibugay after their work. One of them, Mandi, was unconfirmed to have died while waiting for a rescue. (Photo Credit: AP/ Al Jacinto) =0=

UPDATE: July 15, 2009---Eugenio Vagni appealed to the Abu Sayyaf militants to abandon their outlawed life and live a normal life. Asked if he wanted to still work in the Philippines, he said its up to ICRC to decide. In the meantime, Vagni was preparing to leave the country, probably to his homeland, Italy.

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Labels: Abu Sayyaf, Albader Parad, Andreas Notter, Eugenio Vagni, Freedom, hostages, ICRC, International Committee of the Red Cross, Italy, Jolo, Mary Jean Lacaba, Totie Mesia, walk free

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Italian hostage Eugenio Vagni released by Mindanao Abu Sayyaf Bandits

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