The Philippine Online Chronicles

After 179 days being held captive by the Abu Sayaff in Jolo, Italian Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni was turned over to Sulu vice governor Nur-Ana Sahidulla who had been negotiating for his release.

Vagni met reporters in Zamboanga City, where he told them that his captors “treated him well” and called him “Apo” (respected elder), but constantly kept him on the move.

“We went to different places every week—different water, different food, my stomach suffered, I got diarrhea, and I had to adjust more, for every time we walk for many many hours, my body became weak every day. I got weaker, weaker and weaker but we had to go and walk.”

Despite contracting hernia and dropping 44 lbs, Vagni was sustained by the thought of seeing his wife and daughter again.

“This gives you big strength because you know that your family is there waiting for you … You adapt to the situation. You have no choice. And you survive everything.”

The 62-year-old Vagni's hometown of Montevarcchi is preparing a grand homecoming for him.