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Vagni calls family, gets parcel from colleagues


MANILA, Philippines - Kidnapped Red Cross (ICRC) worker Eugenio Vagni managed to call his family and get a parcel of personal items last weekend, his colleagues said Thursday. But Alain Aeschlimann, ICRC head of operations for East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said this has done little to ease their worry over the plight of Vagni, who is currently in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf in the southern Philippine province of Sulu. "Eugenio was able to call his wife on Saturday, 16 May. This is of course positive news. Each time the family hears his voice, it gives some comfort to his loved ones, for whom each day is filled with anxiety, uncertainty and suffering. But it's clear that a phone call cannot take away the pain of being separated from his wife, children and family for 127 days now," Aeschlimann said in an article on the International Committee on the Red Cross Web site. He also said Vagni recently received a parcel containing a few personal items sent by his ICRC colleagues in the Philippines. Abu Sayyaf bandits abducted Vagni and fellow ICRC workers Mary Jean Lacaba and Andreas Notter in Sulu last Jan. 15. Lacaba was released April 2 while Notter last April 18. Aeschlimann renewed his appeal to the Abu Sayyaf to release Vagni. "Eugenio is over 60, he has some medical problems and he's been in the jungle for over four months, enduring heavy rains and relentless stress and fatigue. We appeal to his abductors to release him at once," he said. Aeschlimann said they continue to do everything they can to resolve this crisis, but declined to discuss ongoing efforts in detail. He reiterated their priority is to ensure that Vagni remains safe. "Suffice it to say that we are doing everything in our power to make this happen and to enable him to return home, safe and sound, to his family," he said. - GMANews.TV
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