AFP not stopping operation to rescue Vagni

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The military has not stopped operations to rescue Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni.

However, 1Lt. Stefani Cacho, Armed Forced Western Mindanao Command spokeswoman, said the operation has not been limited to combat.

“Not all operations are combat operation,” she said.

“We cannot stop the operation per se. Efforts continue, either to gather intelligence or the (shift) positions of troops.”

Cacho said military pressure has confined Vagni’s kidnappers to one area in Sulu.

“Keeping them in one area is a form of pressure,” she said.

“I guess the operation is not something that we can just stop. It’s always continuing because at any moment we have to be ready to react to the situation.”

Cacho said the military has a “clear idea” where Vagni, an Italian held for more than five months now, is being kept captive without revealing any information.

“We believe he is alive, but I don’t know the extent of his physical or health condition, but I know he is alive, he is okay. We believe we have a pretty clear idea where he is.”

Vagni’s colleagues in the International Committee of the Red Cross who were kidnapped with him on Jan. 15 this year, Swiss Andreas Notter and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba, walked to freedom in April. – Roel Pareño