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Philippines - Red Cross hostages
One hostage rescued by military and police
Article published on the 2009-04-18 Latest update 2009-04-19 07:44 TU
Andreas Notter answers questions during a news conference at the capitol in Jolo, Sulu province, southern Philippines on Saturday
(Photo: Reuters)
On Saturday Philippine police and military rescued one of three Red Cross workers who were kidnapped last January. Andreas Notter was released to the Red Cross and told the media he was "happy to be alive and safe", saying however he was "a bit confused" as to what exactly happened.
Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said the kidnappers were intercepted while they attempted to pass through an army and police cordon. Puno said the kidnappers were obliged to leave Notter behind as they fled the security forces.
Three Red Cross workers, two men and one woman, were seized on 15 January on the southern Jolo island and the woman was released on 2 April. The third hostage, a 62-year-old Italian Eugenio Vagni remains captive and is believed to be unwell.
A spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Anastasia Isyuk, said the organisation remained "concerned about the safety of Eugenio".
Filipino President Gloria Arroyo welcomed the rescue and armed forces chief General Alexander Yano said "non-violent" efforts were continuing to secure the release of Vagni.
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