MANILA, Philippines — The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) welcomed Saturday the release of Andreas Notter and renewed its appeal for the release of remaining hostage Eugenio Vagni.
In a message on its website, the ICRC noted Vagni remains in captivity after at least 94 days in captivity.
"ICRC welcomes freedom of Andreas and renews appeal for Eugenio to be freed after 94 days in captivity," it said in a crawler message on its website (
www.icrc.org).
Notter was found in Indanan, Sulu early Saturday morning. Before him, Mary Jean Lacaba was released last April 2.
Only Vagni remains in captivity. The three ICRC workers were abducted in Sulu last Jan. 15.
On the other hand, the ICRC shared Notter's concern about Vagni.
“We are, of course, very relieved that Andreas will soon be back in the arms of his loved ones," said Alain Aeschlimann, the ICRC's head of operations for East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Aeschlimann reiterated his appeal to the Abu Sayyaf to let Vagni go safely.
“But we remain very concerned about Eugenio’s safety and we call on the abductors to let him go safely, immediately and unconditionally,"
he said.
Referring to recent official and behind-the-scenes endeavours to resolve the ordeal, Aeschlimann said the ICRC appreciated all genuine efforts that had been made by national and local authorities.
Military's role
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), meanwhile, described the safe recovery of Notter as a relief to all government agencies working for the ICRC victims, and is a proof of their unrelenting efforts.
04/18/2009 | 05:57 PM
AFP chief of staff Gen Alexander Yano said Notter is currently undergoing procedural psychological debriefing and medical checkup sessions.
“We cannot at the moment disclose the details that transpired, as doing so may derail current efforts by TF ICRC and security forces to ensure the safe release of the remaining victim, Vagni," Yano said.
“All nonviolent mechanisms are being exhausted to ensure that this (release of Vagni) will happen at the soonest possible time," he said. “We pray that this too will lead to the safe release of Vagni, and the kidnappers to come to their senses and release the last victim." - GMANews.TV
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