UP Ibalon Bicol: International Committee of the Red Cross

Showing posts with label International Committee of the Red Cross. Show all posts

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.

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

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

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

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

Labels: Abu Sayyaf, Basilan, Eugenio Vagni, hostages, ICRC, International Committee of the Red Cross, Jolo, Omar Jaleel, Sri Lanka, Sulu, Totie Mesia

50 civilians die as artillery fire hits hospital in Sri Lanka

5/14/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

A makeshift hospital was hit anew by artillery fire in the war zone where Tamil separatist rebels fight with Sri Lankan military forces. The protracted war of more than two decades brings daily casualties as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) hold on to their small strip of territory at the coast of Northeast Sri Lanka.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports having a worker died during the mortar attack, but the organization isn’t clear on who is responsible for the death. Many civilians are afraid to go back to the hospital because it isn’t spared from mortar attacks and shellings. Foreign aid workers are encountering difficulties reaching people needing health aid and food supplies.

“ICRC spokesperson Sarasi Wijeratna in Colombo tells VOA News small fishing boats are the only way to offload the 25 metric tons of food and bring the wounded and sick on board to its chartered ship (the Green Ocean).” ---VOA News.com (05/13/09, Herman, S)

The United Nations agencies which give aid in the area of conflict said they have little access to an estimated 50,000 civilians who are trapped in the crossfire. A number of nations are asking both the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government to put an end to the fighting. (Photo Credit:AFP Graphic; AFP/ HO/ Tamil/ File) =0=

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

Labels: dead, death, ICRC, International Committee of the Red Cross, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, military, separatist, Sri Lanka, Tamil, Totie Mesia, United Nations, war

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=

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

Labels: Abu Sabaya, Eugenio Vagni, hostages, ICRC, International Committee of the Red Cross, Islamic militants, Italy, Jolo, kidnapping, Mindanao, Sulu, terrorism, Totie Mesia

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

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

Labels: AFP, Andreas Notter, Eugenio Vagni, hostages, ICRC, International Committee of the Red Cross, Islamic militants, Jolo, Mary Jean Lacaba, military, Sulu, Totie Mesia

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

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

Labels: Abu Sayyaf, Al Qaeda, Andreas Notter, Eugenio Vagni, ICRC, International Committee of the Red Cross, kidnapping, Mary Jean Lacaba, militant, military, Mindanao, ransom, Sulu, Totie Mesia

Muslim religious leaders must also seek the release of Red Cross workers

2/26/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

Islamic religious leaders have climbed the mountains of Sampinit in Mindanao to seek the freedom of Umar Jaleel, a peaceworker from Sri Lanka who was abducted by nine armed men believed to be part of the notorious Abu Sayaff group led by Puruji Indama.

“Because the victim is also a Muslim preacher, the Muslim religious leaders went to the mountains to negotiate for his release,” according to the member of the group trying to solve the crisis." ---Philstar (02/25, 09, Pareno, R)

Basilan Vice Gov. Al Rasheed Sakalahul who heads the provincial crisis management committee says Ulamas who believe hostage-taking is against Islam are out to seek the release of Jaleel, a Muslim.

If kidnapping is against their beliefs, these religious leaders must work for the freedom of other innocent victims---like Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba, the three International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC) humanitarian workers being held in Sulu, Mindanao since they were forcibly snatched in January 15, 2009. At the time of kidnapping they were doing charity work for prisoners in the area. (Photo Credit: AmUnivers) =0=

UPDATE:“Please tell them, if possible, if they can, to quicken the process. It has become very hard and truly painful. Physically and emotionally, it’s really very, very hard,” said Mary Jean Lacaba, the Filipino captive in the ICRC kidnapping said in a phone interview last Feb 25, 2009.---PDI (02/28/09, de la Cruz, A)

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

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

Labels: Abu Sayyaf, Basilan, hostages, ICRC, International Committee of the Red Cross, Islamic militants, kidnapping, Mindanao, terrorism, Toti Mesia, Umar Jaleel

Hostage takers now demand $10 million ransom

2/09/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

The modus operandi of the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers has unraveled just as expected. After three weeks of holding workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)--- Italian Eugenio Vagni, Swiss Adreas Notter and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba, Abu Sayyaf through the Moro Islamic Libration Front (MILF) has stopped treating them as “guests.”

Just as expected, Albader Parad, leader of the notorious Abu Sayyaf kidnappers announced they are demanding $10 million ransom for the three innocent human beings who were there on a humanitarian work to benefit the Sulu prisoners. This extortion demand is more despicable when these criminals say, as in the past, the money is for the hostages’ “board and lodging” obligations.

This hideous development brings the kidnapping on a more difficult plane. Advocating a news blackout, the military has been so far helpless. The ICRC follows a no ransom policy in dealing with criminal elements. In line with the no-negotiation-no ransom policy of the government, the ICRC joins religious, student and community groups in denouncing the abductions and demand the release of the victims.

Kidnapping has been an anathema against peace and progress in the Southern Philippines where the Muslims are concentrated. Barbarism which masquerades as an opportunity to drum up sympathy for the Muslims only send in the message of lawlessness and lack of moral values of Islamic extemists. Hostage-taking has been a source of shame for the government and the Filipino people. (Photo Credit: AP/ Favila, A) =0=

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

Labels: Abu Sayyaf, hostages, ICRC, International Committee of the Red Cross, Islamic militants, kidnapping, MILF, Mindanao, Muslim, ransom, Toti Mesia

UP Ibalon Bicol

Italian hostage Eugenio Vagni released by Mindanao Abu Sayyaf Bandits

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

50 civilians die as artillery fire hits hospital in Sri Lanka

Abu Sayyaf’s Italian hostage still languishes in captivity

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

Fighting between government troops versus Abu Sayyaf kidnappers brings 6 dead

Muslim religious leaders must also seek the release of Red Cross workers

Hostage takers now demand $10 million ransom

Blog Archive

About Me

UP Ibalon Newsmakers

Topics/Categories

Feedjit Live Blog Stats

Topics/Categories

Featured

Ateneo de Naga HS Batch 74

ABS-CBN News

Recent Posts

GMA News.tv

Philippine Commentary

Inquirer Breaking News