No ransom was paid in exchange for the freedom of Italian Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni from his Abu Sayyaf captors, Malacañang said Monday.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the government would not resort to ransom payments in kidnapping cases because such money would only embolden criminals to commit more offenses.

“The government has a no-ransom policy in dealing with kidnappers. Paying ransom would only encourage these kidnappers,” Remonde said amid reports that at least P50,000 was donated to Vagni’s kidnappers.

Remonde thanked anew the local crisis management committee as well as religious leaders in Mindanao for facilitating the safe release of Vagni, who appeared to be in good health after almost six months of captivity.

“We also commend the military and police elements who sacrificed their lives for the release of Vagni,” he added.

To prevent a repeat of the harrowing kidnapping incident, Remonde appealed to foreign aid workers to coordinate with security authorities during their visits in conflict-torn areas in Mindanao. “What happened to the Red Cross volunteers should serve a lesson to parties concerned,” he said.

Vagni was kidnapped along with two Red Cross workers after inspecting a water project in Jolo, Sulu last January. The kidnappers released the two hostages earlier but held on to Vagni for months.

As this developed, United Opposition (UNO) president and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay urged Malacanang Monday to “immediately” move to neutralize the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group following the release of International Committee of the Red Cross volunteer Eugenio Vagni over the weekend.

Although he admitted that he was skeptical of the timing of Vagni’s release, which coincided with the brief visit of US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief Leon Panetta, Binay called on the national government to use its multi-billion-peso intelligence funds and superior strength to annihilate what it had described as a “small group of terrorists.”

“If the intention of the Arroyo administration is to show to the CIA chief that it is capable of fighting CARPIOterrorists, then it would be better to demonstrate the capability to stop the Abu Sayyaf once and for all.

“The Abu Sayyaf Group has terrorized Muslims and Christians, and has committed atrocities that deserve to be punished. With the release of Vagni, there should be no more obstacles to neutralizing this terror group,” he said.

After being held captive in the jungles of Jolo, Sulu since Jan. 15, Vagni was turned over to Sulu Vice Gov. Nur-Ana Sahidulla at a coconut farm in Barangay Lagasan, Maimbung town. Vagni left Zamboanga City and reunited with his Thai wife and daughter at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.