ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The gloves are off.
The military was given the green light to take the offensive in the effort to rescue Italian Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni, who is still held captive by the Abu Sayyaf after almost five months.
Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said government troops have been ordered to take the initiative in the rescue mission and ascertain if Vagni is still alive and held by the Abu Sayyaf bandits.
Arevalo added that government troops and the police have thus far been limited to exerting pressure on the kidnappers.
“It is with more reason that we (are) intensely pursuing all efforts to safely recover Vagni and neutralize the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, now that we are allowed to tactically engage the enemy,” he said.
Arevalo said Anti-Terror Task Force Comet commander Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban has given assurance on the safety of Vagni in the renewed rescue operation.
Sabban said they have proof of life on Vagni since he was able to call his wife via cell phone last Monday.
Vagni is the last of three workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) seized by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu on Jan. 15.
Vagni’s colleagues, Swiss Andreas Notter and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba, were freed last month.
The government has put up a P500,000 reward for anyone who could provide information on the whereabouts of Vagni and his captors.
Vagni’s health is reportedly deteriorating due to his hernia and could hardly move around.
This prompted security forces to intensify efforts to locate and rescue Vagni.
Officials believe that Vagni is being held by the Abu Sayyaf in the dense jungles near Mt. Tukay in Indanan town after a series of reported sightings by villagers.
Arevalo said Vagni’s health condition might have improved after his captors allowed him to stay in one place and recuperate.
Local officials, however, could not say if negotiations for the safe release of Vagni have resumed following the deadly bombing attack on Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan that injured eight of his security men and three civilians, including a town mayor.