Freed Red Cross hostage Mary Jean Lacaba with Sulu Vice Governor Nur Anna Sahidulla in Sulu province after her release from the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya terrorists. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Nickee Butlangan).
Italian Eugenio Vagni, Swiss national Andreas Notter and Filpino Mary Jean Lacaba.ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 02, 2009) – Abu Sayyaf terrorists have freed Thursday one of three Red Cross hostages in the southern province of Sulu, Philippine Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro said.
He said Filipino engineer Mary Jean Lacaba was released and taken to a marine base in Jolo town. There were no reports about the fate of two others captives – Swiss national Andreas Notter and Italian doctor Eugenio Vagni – who were kidnapped in Sulu’s Patikul town on January 15.
“I have received a text message from (Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff) General (Alexander) Yano that Mary Jean Lacaba was released and that she’s been brought by (Sulu) Vice Governor Lady Ann Sahidullah and Colonel Gene Clement to the headquarters of Joint Task Force Comet,” Teodoro said in a television interview late Thursday.
No other details were made available about Lacaba’s freedom or her health condition, but her release was the result of government negotiations led by Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan.
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini earlier on Thursday said all the hostages are alive after they made contact with Vagni.
“Based on elements we have gathered we can say that they are still alive. These elements include contacts with our conational,” Frattini said.He added that the foreign ministry was in constant contact with the International Red Cross and that ''there must be no interference with their mediation efforts.” (Mindanao Examiner)
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