VAGNI FREE AT LAST (July 13, 2009)

For 179 days in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf Group, International Committee Red Cross (ICRC) Italian worker Eugenio Vagni is freed on July 12, 2009, Sunday, 12:35 a.m., at the remote jungle of Barangay Lagasan Higad, Parang, Sulu to the honorable Vice Governor Hja. Nur-Ana “Lady Ann” Sahidulla.

Hesitant Negotiator

Seeing the thinning hope for his countryman’s freedom and safety in the hands of ASG, Mr. Andy De Rossi of 3Ps Foundation, who donated a great number of humanitarian projects in the province of Sulu, contacted Joint Task Force Comet head Major General Juancho M. Sabban for his willingness to help for Vagni’s freedom.

MGen. Sabban, after talking to Mr. De Rossi, went to the Vice Governor and appealed to her if she can involve herself again in the negotiation. Vice Governor Sahidulla reiterated that she was hesitant to again involve herself join the negotiation for the release of Vagni due to the traumatic experience she felt earlier regarding the release of Ms. Jeanne Lacaba who was also kidnapped by the ASG with Vagni and Notter.

Last April 2,after more than 70 days in captivity, Ms. Lacaba was freed by ASG without ransom to Sahidulla as a gesture of commitment in peace conciliation with the Philippine Government so to be heard in its demand of community livelihood and developments for Sulu.  According to the rebel group, Sahidulla was chosen to get Lacaba because of her dedication in helping the forgotten majority of Sulu and to deliver the ASG’s sentiments to the Government.

With the successful liberty of Lacaba, Political critics and some government figures suspected that Vice Governor Sahidulla is in cahoots with the ASG. Well in fact unknown to the public, all series of negotiations by Sahidulla to ASG is approved by the Task Force ICRC, the official crisis management team who works for the safe release of the kidnapped ICRC victims.

With the insistent request of MGen. Sabban and Mr. De Rossi, Sahidulla eventually accepted it for the sake of Vagni & his family and for peace & harmony in Sulu. Mr. De Rossi in return committed to help address the community development programs for the Tausugs.

Negotiation Breakthrough

Prior to the release of Vagni, The negotiation did not go smooth as expected, but Sahidulla did a breakthrough to convince the ASG Leader Albader Parad to free Vagni.  Earlier, Parad’s two wives Rowena “Honey” Aksan and Nursima “Simang” Annuddin, and 4 other companions was invited for questioning by the Philippine Marines in the Municipality of Indanan.

According to Major General Sabban – Head of the Joint Task Force Comet, The arrest of the wives of Parad made him uneasy and distressed. By seeing the weakness of Parad in this manner, MGen. Sabban took the opportunity bank on his weak point and applied psychological pressure on him and utilize his wives to release Vagni through the Vice Governor.

Vice Governor Sahidulla in her effort talked to the wives of Parad that some people are willing to help their family to have a better and peaceful life if Vagni is released unharmed. Convinced by Sahidulla, Parad’s wives called up their husband and persuaded to release Vagni. Sahidulla enlighten Parad that his family and the Tausug community had suffered long enough in this apparent unending war and many lives have already been lost in the encounters between his group and the military.

Sahidulla assures Parad that his wives and companions will be given due process of law and will be out in due time. Sahidulla also clearly said that no ransom will be given to ASG and ransom demand is out of the negotiating terms. In return, she will exert effort to help undertake the livelihood programs and developments unreached by the Government especially the “Tau Gimba” since this is the demand of the ASG.

The Encounters

Parad, convinced by his wives and Sahidulla then agreed to free Vagni. Around 3 O’Clock in the afternoon of Saturday 11th of July, Sahidulla with her staffs and police escorts went to Barangay Marang, Municipality of Indanan to pick up Vagni as agreed. Parad and his group arrived but unfortunately Vagni was not yet in their hands.  Parad informed Sahidulla that Vagni is still in the jungles of Talipao Municipality.

While Sahidulla and Parad were discussing, alleged MNLF combatants in the area fired at them and alerted the group. The tensed situation prompted them to move out from the area and meet again in Talipao.

But before arriving at the area in Talipao wherein to meet Parad again.  An unidentified group of fully armed Civilian Volunteers Organization fired at Sahidulla’s convoy while crossing the area of Bilaan, Talipao. Sahidulla’s police securities though armed did not return fire so to not jeopardize the mission to get Vagni. Again, the supposed turn-over of the kidnap victim did not materialize because of this unfortunate incident.

Sahidulla, exhausted but still hopeful and determined to get Vagni waited for Parad’s call and instruction. True enough, in the evening, Parad called and apologized to Sahidulla for the untoward incidents. According to him, there are people who wanted to sabotage their meeting. Parad told Sahidulla that they again meet in the Municipality of Parang.

Past 11 before midnight, Parad called up again to Sahidulla and instructed her to proceed to Barangay Lagasan in the Municipality of Parang and also to bring with her his wife Honey who helped in the negotiation to free Vagni.

Successful Release

At 12:35 a.m, finally Vagni was release to Sahidulla in the said barangay. As gratitude, Sahidulla heartily gave fifty thousand pesos (php50, 000.00) as “sadakka” to the caretakers of Vagni. Vagni was released without any ransom demand.

After the release, Sahidulla immediately brought Vagni to the 3rd Marine BrigadeTrauma Hospital in Jolo for Medical Check Up. Welcoming Vagni at the 3rd Marine Brigade are MGen. Juancho M. Sabban, BGen. Eugene Clemen, BGen. Celestino Pereyra of the 2nd marine Brigade, Mr. Andy De Rossi, Governor Abdusakur Tan, Mayor Abdurajak of Panamao Sulu, and Mayor Hussin Ahajan of Indanan.

Looking weak and thin but relieved, Vagni, ate noodles and rested for a while. Vagni expressed his gratefulness to the people behind his successful release and to all those who sacrificed their lives for their freedom.

Early in the morning of Sunday around 7 O’ clock a.m. Vagni, Sahidulla, Mr. Andy De Rossi, MGen Sabban boarded a private plane RP2296 and departed immediately to Zamboanga City. They then proceeded to Manila to finally meet the Wife and daughter of Vagni.

 

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