Philippines army intensifies pursuit of rebels after hostage release
Updated
Philippine security forces are stepping up operations against Abu Sayyaf rebels in the south of the country, following the release of an Italian aid worker. Eugenio Vagni was held for nearly six months by the militants before being released. The Philippines' defence secretary says pursuit operations will intensify in the region against - what he's described as - the remnants of the Abu Sayyaf.
Presenter: Bo Hill
Speakers: Eugenio Vagni, ICRC aid worker; Nur-Ann Sahidulla, vice governor, Sulu province; Lt Col Romeo Brawner Jr, chief of public affairs, Philippines Armed Forces
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HILL: Held by rebels for 180 days in the southern Philippines, 61-year-old Italian father Eugenio Vagni says the thought of his family kept him alive.
VAGNI: This gives you big strength because knowing that your family is there waiting for you.
HILL: Suffering a hernia and being fed just fish and rice, Mr Vagni lost 20 kilograms during his ordeal.
VAGNI: (Reporter: Did you ever lose hope?) You know, it is normal sometimes to lose hope.
HILL: Questions have been raised about the circumstances surrounding Mr Vagni's release. A government negotiator says she gave the rebels 50 thousand pesos, the equivalent of just over one thousand US dollars, as a goodwill gesture. The military has warned against giving the rebels any sort of ransom, or money, in hostage situations, arguing it gives the rebels greater incentive to continue the kidnappings. The Red Cross has stressed it did not pay a ransom. Sulu province vice governor and chief negotiator, Lady Ann Sahidulla says diplomacy won.
SAHIDULLA: (translation) The rebel leader called and said everything is okay, I will release him... she says... That is after I told him 'would you rather kill an innocent person.' Thank God I was able to convince him otherwise through diplomacy.
HILL: But four months of negotiations failed to secure Mr Vagni's release. After that the ICRC finally gave the green light for the military to rescue their colleague. Several clashes resulted in a number of deaths on both sides. In the end, says Armed Forces public affairs chief, Lt Colonel Romeo Brawner Junior, the pressure of casualties and then the arrest, and release without charge, of the wives of two rebels ensured Mr Vagni's freedom.
BRAWNER: It was Lady Ann Sahidulla who talked to the wives and they tried to convince Al Bader Parad through a telephone conversation for Parad to release Mr Vagni. In fact in that telephone conversation they heard Al Bader Parad crying, and supposedly feeling sorry for what he did.
HILL: The Defense Secretary says pursuit operations of Abu Sayyaf rebels will be increased... and he's warned communities in the south not to collaborate or tolerate the separatists. Lt Colonel Brawner Junior says Mr Vagni's release has cleared the way for the military operation.
BRAWNER: They were trying to hang on to him as long as possible because they feared that once they didn't have any kidnap victims of course they feared that the military and the police would go after them. (And that's what you're doing now?) That's right, yes.
