Vagni hostage taker wounded in Sulu

MANILA, Philippines – One of the ranking leaders of the Abu Sayyaf holding an Italian Red Cross worker hostage was wounded in last Thursday’s encounter with government troops in Indanan, Sulu that left eight people killed.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said Albader Parad was among those wounded during the firefight. Parad’s brother Saddam was also wounded.

Arevalo added Parad lost his son Damz, along with Ting and Magdar Jumdael, sons of Abu Sayyaf leader Dr. Abu Pula.

Three other bandits, identified only as Darul, Sallam and Julmillun, were also killed in the encounter.

Last Thursday’s encounters were the fiercest after government troops were allowed to mount a rescue operation for Italian Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni, who has been held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf for almost five months.

Government troops attacked the suspected jungle stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf in the jungles of Mt. Timahu near Indanan, leaving six bandits and two soldiers dead, the military said.

There was no immediate sighting of Vagni as five Marines were also wounded in the fighting.

The military said government troops stumbled on some 150 Abu Sayyaf gunmen in the area, triggering the pre-dawn clash that lasted the whole of Thursday.

“Follow up combat operations still in progress. The operations were surgical and deliberate,” Arevalo said.

Anti-terror Task Force Comet commander Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban said the number of fatalities on the Abu Sayyaf side is expected to rise because of the ongoing tactical engagement.

“The number (fatalities) is expected to rise as clearing operations continue,” Sabban said.

Three more Marines have been wounded in the ongoing skirmishes, he said.

“We will not be cowed by the casualties we have sustained. It would instead fuel our resolve to end the menace that the bandit Abu Sayyaf Group brings to the people of Sulu,” Sabban declared.

Arevalo earlier said Parad and Abu Pula are leading the group keeping Vagni hostage. He added intelligence reports revealed the gunmen were aided by Indonesian Umar Patek, a member of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) regional terror group.

Arevalo though admitted the troops were not able to spot Vagni during the rescue attempt.

This is because the bandits transfer the hostage from one place to another, he said.

Sources in Sulu revealed that prior to last Thursday’s assault, Vagni was monitored to have been in the area.

One source, citing monitored text and telephone calls, said Vagni was able to contact his family in Italy on Wednesday evening.

Vagni was one of three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf on Jan. 15.

The Italian has been held hostage for almost five months after his two colleagues, Swiss national Andreas Notter and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba, gained their freedom in April.

The ICRC, on the other hand, expressed frustration over last Thursday’s bloody rescue attempt by the military that left Vagni still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf.

“We are of course extremely concerned about Eugenio’s safety and well-being. It is very upsetting and frustrating to admit that this crisis remains unresolved after almost five months,” said Alain Aeschlimann, ICRC head of operations for East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific.

Aeschlimann noted Vagni was able to call his wife on June 2. The 150th day of the victim’s abduction marks yet another day of pain and anguish for his family, he said.

“Eugenio’s baby daughter is growing fast, and she has not seen her father since January. We hope that he will hold her in his arms very soon. We appeal to the abductors once again to release him safe and sound, unconditionally and without delay,” Aeschlimann said.

The ICRC particularly expressed its concerns over the military rescue operation.

“Clearly our concern also extends to civilians in the area who may be affected by the fighting,” he said.

Aeschlimann admitted the hostage crisis is affecting ICRC staff in the Philippines and those at the ICRC headquarters but said that aid efforts would continue.

“We remain in close contact with everyone involved in efforts to resolve this crisis, in particular the local and national authorities. We hope that a meaningful dialogue will take place that will result in a positive outcome. Eugenio’s safety is our primary concern,” Aeschlimann said. – With Sheila Crisostomo