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Philippines rebels free hostage Philippines police rescue hostage
(about 3 hours later)
A Swiss Red Cross worker has been freed by Islamic rebels in the Philippines, after being held for three months. Police in the Philippines have rescued a Swiss Red Cross worker held hostage on the southern island of Jolo by Islamic rebels for three months.
Andreas Notter was freed unharmed on the southern island of Jolo, and was now being given a medical check-up, Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said. Andreas Notter, 38, was unharmed, Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said.
Another hostage, Mary Jean Lacaba, was freed a fortnight ago. Mr Teodoro gave no details of the operation or the fate of an Italian, Eugenio Vagni, who is still being held.
Abu Sayyaf rebels seized three Red Cross workers on 15 January after they visited a local prison and are still holding an Italian, Eugenio Vagni. Abu Sayyaf rebels seized three Red Cross workers on 15 January after a prison visit. Mary Jean Lacaba, a Filipina, was freed a fortnight ago.
Mr Notter will be flown to the southern city of Zamboanga to be reunited with colleagues from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) after undergoing a medical check up.
An earlier report said he had been released by Abu Sayyaf militants.
Intense clashes
There were reports of intense clashes late on Friday around Indanan township, from where Mr Notter was rescued.
Guide to the Philippines conflict Guide to the Philippines conflict
The fighting came a day after the military said it was prepared to rescue the hostages.
The last remaining hostage, Mr Vagni, 62, is believed to be unwell and in need of hernia surgery.
The Abu Sayyaf militants had threatened to behead one of the hostages unless all military operations against them were halted and troops withdrew from the area.The Abu Sayyaf militants had threatened to behead one of the hostages unless all military operations against them were halted and troops withdrew from the area.
At least 800 soldiers of 1,000 pulled back on Jolo island before the rebels' deadline of 31 March, but the government refused to withdraw completely, saying doing so would leave the island's civilian population exposed to militant attacks.At least 800 soldiers of 1,000 pulled back on Jolo island before the rebels' deadline of 31 March, but the government refused to withdraw completely, saying doing so would leave the island's civilian population exposed to militant attacks.
Abu Sayyaf, which has links to al-Qaeda militants, is notorious for kidnappings and terror attacks and has a history of beheading captives.Abu Sayyaf, which has links to al-Qaeda militants, is notorious for kidnappings and terror attacks and has a history of beheading captives.
An American, Guillermo Sobero, was killed in 2001 after the government turned down attempts by the rebels to negotiate for hostages on the nearby island of Basilan.An American, Guillermo Sobero, was killed in 2001 after the government turned down attempts by the rebels to negotiate for hostages on the nearby island of Basilan.
The following year a second American, Christian missionary Martin Burnham, was killed in a military attack on the rebels.