Vagni released

Kidnapped Italian International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) volunteer Eugenio Vagni walked free yesterday after almost six months of captivity at the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.

At the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI expressed relief that the abduction was over and took the release as a “sign of hope and of faith,” according to Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi.

Vagni was still suffering from hernia but was otherwise in good health when picked up by members of the anti-terror Task Force Comet (TFC) led by Marine Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban and Sulu Vice Gov. Lady Anne Sahidulla from a mountainous area in Barangay Lagasan Asibi, Maimbung town at about 12:30 a.m.

“My health is okay. I feel free. I will see you soon. I love them all,” Vagni said, apparently referring to his wife and relatives who secretly flew into the country four months ago to monitor the situation.

It was not disclosed if financial considerations were involved during negotiations conducted by a group led by Sahidulla that resulted in the release.

Military and local officials negotiating the release would also not deny or confirm if the arrest of the two wives of Abu Sayyaf leader Albader Parad put pressure on the group to demand a swap.

“I don’t know any ransom,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, Gen. Victor Ibrado, who flew in the other day as the negotiations for the release was approaching its conclusion.

Parad’s wives, Simang Annudin and Rowena Aksan, along with four other Abu Sayyaf suspects, were arrested Thursday afternoon at a Marine checkpoint in Barangay Tagbak, Indanan.

Both are currently facing illegal possession of firearms charges before the Sulu court.

There were rumors that one of the bargains offered to the bandits is a trade off between the wives and the hostage even if it was earlier reported that he extremist group is demanding a US$10-million ransom.

Sahidulla denied that a ransom was paid, saying the militants agreed to release Vagni in exchange for livelihood projects in Sulu.

Sabban said skillful negotiations and incessant pressure because of relentless pursuit operations by members of the security group resulted to the release.

The lady vice governor, however, confirmed that she gave a small amount of money from her own pocket for Vagni’s “accommodation.”

“There was a minimal charge, about P50,000 ($1,035),” she said, adding that the hostage was already with another group even before the turnover occurred.

Italy expresses gratitude

From Maimbung, the released Red Cross volunteer was taken to the TFC headquarters and underwent medical checkup and debriefing.

A chartered King Air flight later fetched Vagni from Sulu to Zamboanga City for his scheduled turnover to ICRC representatives and officials of the Italian embassy.

In his initial debriefing, Vagni confirmed that he was separated from the group of Parad and was kept in an undisclosed location somewhere in Parang town right after the release of fellow hostage, Swiss Andrea Notter.

Security forces were optimistic that he would be freed after third party negotiators stepped into the picture to resolve the hostage crisis.

A senior security official earlier told The STAR that his group has been actively working behind the scene to “convince” the abductors to release him.

“I thank all the people and the prayers that led to this happening because I was thinking that it will never happen,” Vagni, weak and and on the verge of tears and wearing a dark shirt with a Philippine Marines logo and blue jogging pants, told reporters at the airbase.

Speaking on television later, he clarified that the release was not the result of military action, which Italy resisted because it regarded it as potentially dangerous.

Head of the Italian Red Cross Francesco Rocca said Vagni’s release was an “immensely happy event.”

“We are preparing a big celebration. I am really moved and the entire Italian Red Cross is delighted.

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said in an interview with the Italian state television that no ransom was paid and expressed gratitude that no government attacks were necessary to effect the release.

Gwendolyn Pang, Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) secretary general, said Vagni is scheduled to leave the country as soon as possible so he could be reunited with his children. His wife, Kwan, has long been in the country awaiting his release.

Pang said the military is claiming that the Italian Red Cross volunteer was found after being abandoned by his captors but they will soon debrief him to ascertain the facts.

The Red Cross said Vagni will probably be presented to the media today.

PNRC chairman Sen. Richard Gordon also maintained that ransom was not paid because their organization does not pay for it, as a matter of policy.

“Members of the Red Cross cannot work under a constant threat of possible abduction again in Mindanao. The Red Cross should enjoy the trust and confidence of the people they serve. Once we pay ransom, then all workers and volunteers would be susceptible to possible abduction in the future not only here but also anywhere in the world,” he said.

In a statement, Gordon congratulated the people behind the release as he recognized the sacrifices of the Filipino soldiers who lost their lives in the process.

However, he said the rash of kidnappings in Sulu and other areas in Mindanao underscore the need for the government to address basic concerns in the region.

“Even as we express our joy for the freeing of the last ICRC hostage, we also realize that the government must work much harder to deliver good governance to the province of Sulu as well as other provinces in Mindanao that face similar situations,” Gordon said.

“Education, health services, jobs, and livelihood must be delivered if we are to hope that what happened in Sulu will not happen again,” Gordon said. “We must learn the lesson that peace does not come about on its own, it must be worked on relentlessly and it must be earned.”

Vice President Noli de Castro, Senators Loren Legarda and Manuel Roxas II and House Speaker Prospero Nograles also welcomed the latest development in the ICRC hostage crisis.

“The government’s focus was on saving and protecting the life of Vagni and we were all triumphant in this aim. Through the nation’s prayers, the government’s persistent effort and Eugenio Vagni’s bravery, the crisis was successfully resolved,” de Castro said.

Legarda said Vagni’s release shows what patient negotiations can do to save innocent lives in conflict situations.

Roxas urged the AFP to pursue the volunteers’ abductors, citing reports that the terror group is still holding more civilians hostage.

“We should not stop our relentless pursuit of these people. There can be no negotiations with terrorists. Their agenda has nothing to do with reason or pity or humanity. Their reason for being is precisely as their name states, to sow terror,” he said.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) also lauded the release, saying the religious sector viewed it as a turning point for stronger effort in the development of Mindanao.

“This indeed is a highlight for us people in Mindanao now to work together so that peace and progress can reign in the region,” Jolo Bishop Angelito Lampon said in a statement posted at the CBCP website.

“The authorities are trying their best to secure the people but they should also improve their intelligence work to prevent crimes,” he said.

Malacañang also commended the Local Crisis Management Committee of Sulu for the release of Vagni.

“We are happy about the safe release of Vagni. We would like to commend the Local Crisis Management Committee of Sulu, the police, military and the Armed Forces and all those who have in one way or another helped in his eventual safe release,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in an interview at the government-owned dzRB.

He, however, declined to comment on reports that a ransom was paid for the release.

Remonde said what had been reported to Malacañang was that Vagni was released to Vice Governor Sahidulla and “then turned over to ground forces in Mindanao.”

Pursuit operations continue

But the conclusion of the ICRC hostage crisis wouldn’t mean the end of the military’s pursuit operation against the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Gen. Ibrado said the hunt for the kidnappers of the three Red Cross volunteers will continue without let-up.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) also vowed to complete the investigation and file charges against the perpetrators.

Ibrado said the AFP will not reduce its forces in Sulu for the on going operation against the bandits.

Col. Eugene Clemen, commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade, said the operation will be discrete to avoid disturbing the civilian populace of Sulu.

“Our operations have been tactically changed using all the equipments we have to hunt down the Abu Sayyaf,” Clemen said.

But Ibrado clarified that while the hunt is on going, the marines will also continue the development and humanitarian works for the civilian populace.

Vagni is the last hostage to regain freedom from the group of three ICRC workers abducted by ASG members last January 15 while on a humanitarian mission in Patikul, Sulu.

Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba and Notter were released on April 2 and April 8, respectively. – With reports from Roel Pareño, James Mananghaya, Mayen Jaymalin, Delon Porcalla, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Paolo Romero, Christina Mendez, Rainier Allan Ronda, Dennis Carcamo, AP