Vagni calls family; ICRC renews appeal

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 05/22/2009 5:38 PM

The International Committee of the Red Cross said Thursday that Italian Eugenio Vagni, a captive of the Abu Sayyaf since January 15, called up his wife last Saturday.

“Eugenio was able to call his wife on Saturday, 16 May. This is of course positive news," Alain Aeschlimann, ICRC head of operations for East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement.

But the ICRC’s Alain Aeschlimann said that while Vagni's family is relieved to hear his voice, the phone call does not take away the pain of being separated from his wife, children, and family for more than four months now.

Aeschlimann said Vagni also received a parcel that contained personal items sent by his colleagues in the Philippines.

He renewed his appeal to Vagni's kidnappers to release the aid workers more than four months after his abduction.

"Eugenio is over 60, he has some medical problems and he's been in the jungle for over four months, enduring heavy rains and relentless stress and fatigue. We appeal to his abductors to release him at once," he said.

He said many people are working behind the scenes to secure Vagni's release.

"We appreciate the ongoing work of national and local authorities to find a positive outcome for Eugenio, as they did when his colleagues," he said.

"Our priority is to ensure that Eugenio remains safe and that he is let go immediately and unconditionally. Suffice it to say that we are doing everything in our power to make this happen and to enable him to return home, safe and sound, to his family," Aeschlimann added.

Vagni is being held captive by the Abu Sayyaf in the jungles of Sulu.

Two of his fellow hostages, Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba and Swiss andreas Notter were released separately in April.

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