Red Cross man’s Philippines hostage ordeal ends

A Swiss Red Cross worker who had been held hostage for three months by rebels in the Philippines has been released.

Andreas Notter was seized along with two colleagues while on a visit to a prison on Jolo island, a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf rebel group. Local woman Jean Lacaba was freed earlier this month. Notter told reporters: “I am happy to be alive and safe. All my concerns are now with my companion Mr Eugenio Vagni. You might be aware he is injured. So really, everything has to be done to release him as soon as possible.” Muslim clerics are said to be in talks with the militants for the release of the Italian aid worker. It is still unclear how Notter came to be freed.More about: Philippines

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