Showing posts with label Eugenio Vagni. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eugenio Vagni. Show all posts

PostHeaderIcon Italian hostage Eugenio Vagni released by Mindanao Abu Sayyaf Bandits

7/14/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | 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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PostHeaderIcon 8 killed in fresh fighting with Abu Sayyaf

6/12/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


At least 6 Abu Sayyaf rebels and two military troops died in a recent clash between the Islamic militants and government forces last Thurday, June 11, 2009 in Indanan, Jolo, Sulu. Four other soldiers were reportedly wounded during the encounter.

About 100 terrorists led by Abu Sayyaf Albader Parad clashed with the military in a planned combat operation which sought to rescue Italian Eugenio Vagni, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) humanitarian worker still being held hostage since January 15, 2009.

According to Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, the soldiers who suffered injuries and died were hit by sharpnels from booby traps set up by the militant bandits. (Photo Credit: Charlie Saceda) =0=

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

6/04/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


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

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PostHeaderIcon Abu Sayyaf’s Italian hostage still languishes in captivity

5/09/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


""He was able to call his family in the morning of Friday 8 May. However, the entire situation is difficult for his loved ones, who of course remain very worried about him. We are keenly aware of the distress they are feeling…

It hurts to see people who respond to crisis with purely humanitarian intentions become the victims. We hope the kidnappers will heed our repeated appeals and release Eugenio safe and sound, without condition and without further delay."---ICRC Executive Alain Aeschlimann said. GMA TV News (05/08/09)

Reading about Eugenio Vagni, the Italian who is a member of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who is still a captive of the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, Jolo Philippines, makes people think how evil can be so indiscriminate and unfair. At 62, the innocent humanitarian worker suffers needlessly since he was captured while working to help communities there.

Suffering from medical problems, Vagni is held as a hostage by Al Qaeda-affiliated bandits since January 15, 2009. Two of his companions, Swiss Andreas Notter and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba have been released. The ICRC, his family and the entire world are deeply worried that the efforts to gain his freedom are fruitless. Let us pray for Vagni’s safety and immediate release. (Photo Credit: Carlie Saceda)=0=

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PostHeaderIcon Another ICRC hostage freed by Abu Sayyaf?

4/23/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post
Jesus Versoza, director general of the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that Italian Eugenio Vagni, 62, the last International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) worker being held by Abu Sayyaf has been released. He was kidnapped on January 15, 2009 along with Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba and Swiss Andreas Notter.

Yet, no one knows where the exact location of Vagni is. A reward of P500,000 ($10,300) has been offered for information of his exact whereabouts. The kidnappers who disbanded into groups to elude rescuers are said to have left the ailing captive. Other kidnapped victims for ransom are being held in Basilan, Mindanao, including a Sri Lankan national and 8 Filipinos. (Photo Credit: Jager) =0=

RELATED BLOG: "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

UPDATE: April 24, 2009--- Subsequent reports indicate that Eugenio Vagni was not yet freed by his abductors. His whereabouts in the hinterlands of Sulu are not fully known.

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PostHeaderIcon ICRC hostage crisis: Abu Sayyaf’s Swiss captive freed

4/18/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post



A sketchy report from Jolo, Sulu disclosed that International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) worker, Andreas Notter, a Swiss national had been freed by Abu Sayyaf bandits who held him captive in Mindanao, Philippines since January 15, 2009.

Along with Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba, Notter is the second of three ICRC hostages to be freed. Abandoned by his captors in Indanan town, the humanitarian worker arrived at the house of Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan on Friday, April 17, 2009, according to Col. Edgard Arevalo, the spokesman of Task Force ICRC.

The details of the release are not yet known. This happy development leaves only Eugenio Vagni, an Italian citizen as the only hostage being held by the dreaded extremists who are linked with the terrorist Al-Qaeda group. It is uncertain whether the $5 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers headed by Albader Parad had been paid. (Photo Credits: Inquirer: AFP/ ICRC) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Hostage negotiators in Mindanao can learn from the daring rescue of ship captain from Somali pirates

4/14/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


There are lessons to be learned from the rescue of Richard Phillips, the brave captain of the container ship Maersk Alabama, who was taken hostage by pirates in lifeboat drifting in the Indian Ocean during a five-day standoff of ransom extortion.

With the approval of Pres. Barack Obama, three Somali pirates watching Phillips were killed and one was captured last Sunday, April 12, 2009, during the rescue by the US navy sharpshooters. The pirates who tied the ship captain demanded $2 million for the release of the 53 year old Vermont native, one among 200 or more hostages still being held captives by pirates from a dozen ships in the coast of Somalia. Among the hostages had been Filipino seafarers.

As the angry pirates vow to avenge the slay of their companions, Pres. Obama calls for a concerted effort to stop piracy, seeking cooperation among nations. The continuing pirate activity in the Somali Coast revives the call to arm ship crews in commercial vessels.

“Somali officials said piracy started about 10 to 15 years ago as a response to illegal fishing. The country's tuna-rich waters were plundered by commercial fishing fleets soon after its government collapsed in 1991. Somali fishermen turned into armed vigilantes, confronting fishing boats and demanding they pay a tax. In 2008, more than 120 pirate attacks occurred in the Gulf of Aden, far more than in any other year in recent memory. Experts said the Somali pirates netted more than $100 million, an astronomical sum for a war-racked country whose economy is in tatters.”----Piracy at Sea, New York Times (04/13/09 )

The successful rescue of Phillips by intrepid US Navy Seals proves that a carefully planned and executed rescue is a viable option when the life of the hostage is in imminent danger and all negotiations to gain freedom fail.

Unsolved ICRC Hostage Crisis in the Philippines

Rescue operation becomes pressing in kidnapping situations in the Philippines as well. To date, two International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers are still being held in the hinterlands of Jolo Sulu. In Lamitan, Basilan, suspected members of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) beheaded one of two hostages they took during a raid in a Christian village and killed another civilian who crossed their path.

Abducted and held at gunpoint since January 2009, 62 year-old Italian Eugenio Vagni and 38 year-old Swiss Andreas Notter remain as captives of the notorious Abu Sayyaf who are reportedly demanding a $5 million for their release. The ICRC and the Philippine government still keep their no-ransom policy in dealing with these Muslim bandits.

Since their abduction in January 2009 by the notorious Al-Qaeda affiliated group, only Mary Jane Lacaba, another ICRC was released. The US embassy in Manila expressed willingness to help solve the hostage crisis, but military and government leaders feel they can solve the protracted standoff on their own. As the captivity of the humanitarian workers drag on, the risk of them being harmed or killed grows. Without paying a ransom, pretty soon authorities need to decide what to do in order to free the victims.(Photo Credit: Reuters/ Phillips family) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon ICRC worker Mary Jean Lacaba freed by Abu Sayyaf bandits

4/03/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


After 78 days in captivity, Filipina hostage Mary Jean Lacaba has been freed by the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers. The fates of two of her companions, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) humanitarian workers Andreas Notter of Switzerland and Eugenio Vagni of Italy are not known.

Though Alain Aeschlimann, regional operations chief for the ICRC, disclosed he doesn’t have information on the condition of the two other hostages, Foreign Minister of Italy Franco Frattini was reported to have said the two hostages are alive.

Thirty-seven year old Lacaba who endured the hostage ordeal since her abduction on January 15, 2009 was abandoned by the Islamic extremists on April 2, 2009. The ICRC worker was fetched in Barangay Palig in the border of Indanan and Parang at about 7 P.M. and was brought to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.

The release of Lacaba comes when government authorities prepare to evacuate an estimated 21,000 residents who may be caught in a crossfire if confrontations between the bandits and the military forces occur. (Photo Credit: AFP/ ICRC) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Life on a balance: hostages can’t rely on the government for help?

4/02/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


For more than two months , Filipinos were asked to wait for the rescue of the three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers, but it appears nothing tangible has come out of the attempts to free the hostages

Ramon Casiple, director of the Institute for Political and Economic Reform says the government is handling the hostage crisis badly. He speaks of “bumbling” and the lack of cohesive plan to rescue the hostages that even the military admits.

“A disgusted Marines officer hit the government for its alleged weakness in handling the hostage crisis and choosing negotiations over the military option. He said the military stands to get the blame if something bad happens to the hostages.”---Malaya (04/02/09, Reyes, V)

After a skirmish that claimed the life of 3 soldiers and wounded 19 more, the rescue of Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba, Swiss Andreas Notter, and Italian Eugenio Vagni from the hideous Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandits have met a perilous impasse. No reliable word about their fates are known after the deadline on Tuesday, March 31, 2009. The Abu Sayyaf extremists’ demand that government military personnel leave the area has not been met.

Now, it is a fearful wait and see. Filipinos are told the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) soldiers are cordoning the forest where the hostages and their kidnappers are holed. Is it a preparation to attack the Abu Sayyaf’s position and free the hostages?

Those who know what transpired in the deaths of hostages Guillermo Sobero, Deborah Yap, and Martin Burnham can only hope for the best. The innocent humanitarian ICRC workers don’t merit the inhuman treatment from Abu Sayyaf. So too are the unnamed captives who languish in the bandit's lair. The government rescue plan, branded as inutile, must do better to save them. (Photo Credit: Charlie Saceda x 2) =0=



UPDATE: Apri 2, 2009 reports suggest that the kidnappers have abandoned their position and splintered into groups in anticipation for a rescue operation. The condition of the three ICRC kidnapped victims are so far unknown.

RELATED BLOGS: "Abu Sayyaf extremists warn of beheading ICRC captives" Posted by mesiamd at 3/31/2009; "Hostage takers now demand $10 million ransom" Posted by mesiamd at 2/09/2009

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PostHeaderIcon Abu Sayyaf extremists warn of beheading ICRC captives

3/31/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


After two months of holding the three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers in the mountains of Jolo, Sulu, the kidnappers headed by Albader Parad of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group demanded that military, police and civilian forces must leave 15 barangays in five towns in Sulu within 24 hours. The new demand came after three military men died and 19 others were wounded last week in a skirmish between government forces and members of the Islamic extremists.

There are fresh worries that Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni, and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba----the three humanitarian workers snatched by the kidnappers, last January 15, 2009 in Mindanao will be harmed or killed. According to Sulu vice gov. Lady Ann Sahidulla, one of the negotiators said the terrorist group is serious in its threat to decapitate one of the hostages.

The appeal of the ICRC to spare and free the hostages have fallen in deaf ears. With little that it can do, government forces are weighing in on how to resolve the hostage situation which drags on, putting the hostages' fate in greater danger.

The Abu Sayyaf has a disdainful history of beheading its innocent victims as in case of Peruvian-American Guillermo Sobero who was snatched together with 20 others in a Palawan resort before being killed 8 years ago.

Martin Burnham, a missionary died under Abu Sayyaf hands in a deadly shootout after being held in captivity for more than a year with his wife Gracia. In the past, this violent Islamic group with Al Qaeda ties is known to seek ransom that runs in millions. (Photo Credit: Charlie Saceda) =0=

Pope Appeals for the release of hostages

On March 31, 2009, the Vatican issued an appeal from Pope Benedict to set free the innocent ICRC hostages. The pontiff calls for "humanitarian sensibililty and reason to prevail over violence and intimidation." His message was sent by the Holy See as the 2 P. M. deadline to comply with the kidnappers' demand that the military and police pull back from Jolo draws near.

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PostHeaderIcon Fighting between government troops versus Abu Sayyaf kidnappers brings 6 dead

3/17/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


After unsuccessful negotiations to free the three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC,) humanitarian workers who were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, Philippines, a firefight erupted between the rebels and government forces bringing death to at least 3 kidnappers and 3 military men and hurting at least 19 soldiers. Albader Parad, the leader of the notorious kidnappers with links to Al-Qaeda was suspected to have been wounded in the gunfight.

The bloody encountry was sparked by armed Abu Sayyaf bandits who tried to cross the cordon set in the area by government forces.

Airing concern that the hostages--- Swiss Andreas Notter, Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba and Italian Eugenio Vagni must not be harmed, the head of ICRC Southeast Asia-Pacific operations Alain Aeschlimann said, “"Their safety is paramount. We repeat our call that no action should be taken that could put (their lives) in danger,"----Yahoo News/ AP (03/17/09, Gomez, J)

The kidnapped victims have been held since January 2009 by the Islamic extremists who seek the withdrawal of government troops from the area and insinuate on a payment of P50 million ransom. =0=

RELATED BLOG: "Abu Sayyaf kidnappers asks for P50 milllion ransom for ICRC workers" Posted by mesiamd at 3/12/2009

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PostHeaderIcon Abu Sayyaf kidnappers asks for P50 million ransom for ICRC workers

3/12/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

The notorious terror group Abu Sayyaf has finally demanded P50 million ransom as a condition to release the three humanitarian workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC.) This is according to Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema.

Many did not believe the earlier denials that all the Mindanao extremists wanted was for the military to pull out from their area of operation. As in the past, the public expects this group to ask for ransom. Two months after Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni, and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba were abducted and held hostage in the hinterlands of Jolo, Sulu, the terror group has finally been reported to be asking for ransom which the ICRC rejected.

The reason for the rejection is clear. It rewards acts of banditry. It encourages more kidnappings. Leaving the problem's resolution to the local crisis negotiators, the government has three options----ignore the demand and not to do anything, forcibly rescue the hostages, or pay the ransom. (Photo Credit: AFP/ ICRC file) =0=

RELATED BLOG: "Three kidnapped Red Cross workers still missing in Mindanao" Posted by mesiamd at 1/21/2009

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PostHeaderIcon After a protracted news blackout, an announcement that the Army is ready to storm the kidnappers’ lair?

3/03/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post
Since the three (3) International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) humanitarian workers where snatched in Jolo, Sulu by Muslim extremists, the Philippine military was clear in saying they were keeping a news black out to ensure that the kidnapped victims would not be harmed. Government officials thought of the safety of the abducted workers on the hands of their captors.

They made the people understand the delicate balance they had to do in securing the freedom of the abducted civilians. Undoubtedly, the victims' families and the ICRC officials understood the wisdom of keeping quiet. Giving ransom wasn't part of the plan.

“The ICRC staff -- Andreas Notter of Switzerland, Eugenio Vagni of Italy and Filipina Mary-Jean Lacaba -- were kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf extremists on January 15… Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Torres on Monday said the kidnappers had not made any "clear demands" although previous Abu Sayyaf kidnappings involved millions of dollars in ransom. "We are keeping the pressure in the area but we have not yet conducted an actual rescue," Torres told reporters. "Our troops are there but there has not been any assault. They are on standby."----Inquirer/AFP (03/02/09)

After more than a month of silent negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf terrorists, Agence France-Presse (03/02/09) reported that the military is surrounding the positions of the Islamic militants in preparation for a rescue as told by Pres. spokesman Cerge Remonde in Malacanang. Troops are said to be getting ready to confront the kidnappers who are believed to have ties with the notorious Jemaah Islamiya (JI), a Moslem terrorist group operating in neighboring Indonesia.

Perhaps, exasperated by the kidnappers’ demand that the military must pull out of the area, Malacanang and the army have a change of mind. The captives have sent word of their suffering in the hinterlands of Mindanao. But why will the government and its military announce to the whole world that they are planning an attack? Are they planting confusing leads? Is it the most logical thing to do? Are they sure they have learned from the lessons of the past where a forcible rescue and too much talk led to the deaths of the kidnapped victims? Go figure. Announcing plans to the terrorists may not the best thing to do. (Photo Credit: Alvin Chan)=0=

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PostHeaderIcon Three kidnapped Red Cross workers still missing in Mindanao

1/21/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


A week after 3 members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were kidnapped in Patikul, Sulu by heavily armed unidentified men on motorcycles, there had been little news on their whereabouts. Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba were snatched in Southern Philippines on January 15, 2009 during their field inspection of a water sanitation project in Sulu Provincial Jail in Southern Philippines.

Abu Sayyaf, the extremist Islamic group under Albade Parad with Al Qaeda ties had been suspected to be behind the abduction. On Monday, January 19, the kidnapped ICRC workers placed a phone call to their office asking that the military rescue operation be suspended.

Gen. Alexander Yano of the Armed Forces of the Philippines heads the search and rescue operation which show no progress. The military officer keeps a controversial news blackout which he believes is needed so as not to compromise the life of the kidnapped victims.

“Thursday's abduction was the most high-profile kidnapping of foreigners since 2001, when Abu Sayyaf gunmen snatched nearly two dozen tourists from a resort, including three Americans. One of the Americans was beheaded, a second was killed during a military rescue operation and the third was rescued. The incident prompted Washington to deploy troops in the south starting in 2002, but they are barred from combat.” ---Yahoo News / AP (01/17/09, Teves, O)

“Alain Aeschlimann, head of the ICRC’s operations for Asia Pacific in Geneva, said their main concern is to ensure that they continue to be unharmed and that they are let go, without any conditions, as quickly as possible." ---Malaya (01/20/09, Reyes, V)

There is increasing clamor to step up the search. Conflicting rumors heighten the anxiety and feeling of helplessness of hostages’ relatives. With no progress in finding the missing workers, the US Embassy in Manila has offered help to the Philippine authorities. If mishandled, this crisis can quickly degenerate into another round of ransom-giving, then body injuries, and even deaths. Unintended results bring back the old questions on the competence and integrity of the military authorities in solving this kind of dilemma. (Photo Credit: AFP/ ICRC file; Charles Saceda) =0=



UPDATE: As of April 18, 2009 two ICRC humanitarian workers namely Mary Jean Lacaba and Andreas Notter were freed by the Abu Sayyaf bandits. Only Eugenio Vagni had been left with the terrorists in the forested jungle of Jolo, Sulu. The military had been working to secure the freedom of Vagni.

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