Philippine hostages 'doing well'

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Three aid workers kidnapped in the Philippines last month say they are being treated well by their captors.

One of the hostages, Andreas Notter, was quoted as saying that he was "fine" and "in good condition."

Mr Notter and two colleagues working for the Red Cross were abducted on the southern island of Jolo nearly three weeks ago.

The kidnap has been blamed on Islamist militants linked to fighters of the Abu Sayyaf group.

'In our thoughts'

A spokesman for the Red Cross, Alain Aeschlimann, confirmed that the organisation had been in touch with its kidnapped workers and said they were in good health.

"We spoke to all three," said Mr Aeschlimann, "and they say they are doing fine. We admire their bravery in enduring this difficult situation ... Eugenio Vagni, Mary Jean Lacaba and Andreas Notter are constantly in our thoughts."

Mr Aeschlimann said he could not comment on where the hostages might be held.

"We do not wish to say anything that could compromise our colleagues' safety," he said.

Jolo is a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, which has carried out many kidnappings and gun attacks in the past, and is currently believed to be holding a number of other hostages.

It has twice attacked luxury beach resorts and taken away tourists, only releasing them after securing large ransoms.

The security forces in the Philippines say more than 380 Abu Sayyaf fighters are hiding in the hinterlands of predominantly Muslim islands of Jolo and Basilan, home to a decades-old separatist insurgency.