Red Cross concerned for hostage

The Red Cross continues to distribute aid to Muslims displaced by fighting

The International Committee of the Red Cross has posted a message of concern for the safety of Eugenio Vagni, 62, held by militants in the Philippines.

Mr Vagni was taken by kidnappers on Jolo Island in the restive south of the country with two other Red Cross workers on 15 January this year.

His colleagues have been freed but Mr Vagni remains in captivity.

The Red Cross said it was "extremely concerned" for his safety and admired his courage.

A Sri Lankan peace activist kidnapped by Islamic militants in the southern Philippines almost four months ago was safely released, police said on Thursday.

Umar Jaleel was rescued in the town of Tipo-Tipo on Basilan island, after being seized on 13 February.

He had been working for the Brussels-based Nonviolent Peaceforce, which said no ransom had been paid.

'Nightmare'

The Red Cross international humanitarian organisation said Mr Vagni was able to speak to his wife on Tuesday, 2 June.

"One cannot but admire the courage and stoicism shown by Eugenio and his wife and by the rest of his family in Italy throughout this ordeal," said the ICRC regional head of operations, Alain Aeschlimann.

"We hope that the nightmare of this abduction will soon be over," he said.

He said many people were working behind the scene to try to solve the problem and that the Red Cross appreciated the "continuing efforts of national and local authorities".

"At the ICRC, we are extremely concerned about Eugenio's safety and well-being," he said.

"The Christmas decorations he put up (in the office) last December are still there, waiting for him to take them down," he added.

The ICRC manages water and hygiene projects in Mindanao, where fighting has continued for decades between Muslim groups, the military, a communist insurgency and kidnap gangs.

Armed men abducted Mr Vagni, Andreas Notter, 38, and Mary Jean Lacaba, 38, on January 15 in Jolo. Mr Notter and Ms Lacaba have been released.