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For Filipino bishops, Eugenio Vagni’s liberation is “a highlight” for Mindanao

The Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines sees Eugenio Vagni’s release as a crucial moment for conflict resolution in Mindanao. This morning Mr Vagni thanked President Arroyo in Malacañang for the government’s action.
Manila (AsiaNews/ Agencies) – “This indeed is a highlight for us people in Mindanao now to work together so that peace and progress can reign in the region,” Jolo Bishop Angelito Lampon is quoting as saying on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Philippines website. He was referring to the release of Eugenio Vagni who on Sunday became again a free man after 178 days of captivity.

On behalf of the Catholic Church, Mgr Lampon thanked the government for its work, reiterating the need for the authorities to intensify their efforts in preventing abductions and terror attacks on the island.

For his part Mgr Romulo Valles, archbishop of Zamboanga, made an appeal to the kidnappers, telling them that what happened “it’s simply wrong and evil.”

“We are all losers if we allow these things to continue,” Valles said.

In the meantime Eugenio Vagni met Filipino President Arroyo at 10 am (local time) in Malacañang.

The Red Cross (ICRC) worker thanked the Filipino government for the non-stop work that led to his liberation.

“To all the Philippines people that have prayed for me, they are all in my heart,” Vagni said.