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| Southeast Asia |
| Kidnapped Italian freed in Mindanao |
| 2004-11-10 |
| An Italian aid worker walked free from the jungles of the southern Philippines on Wednesday, a day after he was abducted by local gunmen, officials said. Andrea Cianferoni called the kidnapping a "bad experience" but said he would still come back to the region, where he runs the local office of Movimondo, an Italian non-governmental organization. Local officials and Muslim religious leaders in southern Mindanao island convinced the bandits to free Cianferoni about 20 hours after he and two Filipino co-workers were abducted near the town of Kauswagan, officials said. The bearded, 29-year-old aid worker appeared haggard after his ordeal and was later flown to Manila, where he was met by relieved Italian embassy officials. "It was a bad experience. Fortunately, it was a very short experience. We have to thank a lot of people," he told reporters, adding that he was still willing to return to Mindanao. Masked armed men blocked a vehicle driven by Cianferoni on afternoon and forced the three captives to walk several kilometers before the Filipinos were freed to relay the kidnappers' ransom demand for the Italian. The kidnappers, described as Kauswagan-based bandits, demanded 240,000 pesos (4,263 dollars) in ransom, according to the military. The two Filipinos were freed after paying about 60,000 pesos (1,066 dollars). The government did not say if any money was paid for the Italian's freedom, and it was unclear if the kidnappers were arrested. In Rome, Movimondo officials said Tuesday the kidnappers had demanded an unspecified amount they described as "a mere pittance" for Cianferoni's freedom. His release was negotiated by a local officials as well as religious leaders in Lanao region of Mindanao. Colonel Ben Dolorfino, commander of a Marine brigade in the area, said the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is negotiating peace with Manila, helped in the rescue operation. MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said the group issued a "shoot-to-kill order" against the kidnappers if they insisted on keeping the hostages. Cianferoni has been working with poor Muslim communities in the southern Philippines for two years. Movimondo head Vincenzo Pira said Tuesday the outfit would remain in the region despite the kidnapping. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |