MANILA – After nearly six months in the hands of Abu Sayyaf bandits, freed International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) worker Eugenio Vagni left for Italy Wednesday morning.

Reports received by ABS-CBN News said Vagni took the KLM flight 804 at 10:45 am at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) bound for Amsterdam.

From Amsterdam, Vagni will fly to Italy.

Meanwhile, the Filipino community in Florence, Italy has prepared a Thanksgiving Mass for Vagni.

Consul Fabio Fanfani, together with the family of the freed Italian victim, led the preparations for the Thanksgiving Mass.

Vagni met with President Arroyo on Tuesday in Malacañang.

Vagni told ABS-CBN News he was considering retiring so he can enjoy the remaining days of his life with his family.

The Abu Sayyaf released Vagni in Maimbung, Sulu last Sunday. He was the last of the three Red Cross workers to be released by the bandits after their abduction last January 15.

"I feel like this is the happiest day of my life, this is my second life and I will devote it to my family,” Vagni told ABS-CBN’s Ces Drilon in an exclusive interview. “My family, I always thought of them, it was the thought of them that gave me strength."

Vagni said he may still return to the Philippines, not as a Red Cross worker, but as a tourist.

ABS-CBN News

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