ICRC worker Andreas Notter walks free

[samsungster]

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Swiss Andreas Notter, one of the two remaining International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) members being held captive by the Abu Sayyaf, was found by policemen in a remote area of Indanan town, Sulu province, Saturday morning.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan called him up around 7:30 a.m. and informed him that Notter was staying at his home in Barangay Asturias in Jolo.

ABS-CBN's Ina Reformina, meanwhile, reported that there were reports Notter was brought to Tan's home around 6 a.m.

Teodoro said that according to Tan, Notter was found by policemen and soldiers cordoning the Abu Sayyaf lair in Indanan town. He could not say if the Swiss national was released by the bandits or was able to escape.

"Hindi ko sigurado kung pinalaya ito o nakatakbo ito (I'm not sure if he was released or he was able to run)," the defense chief told radio dzMM.

Teodoro, however, said there's a big possibility that Notter escaped because of the military cordon around the Abu Sayyaf lair.

"Baka ang cordon natin ay humigpit or umurong sila sa ibang lugar, baka nakatakbo si Notter. Tandaan natin si Notter ay dating sundalo (Maybe the cordon tightened and the Abu Sayyaf retreated and Notter was able to run. Remember, Notter is a former soldier)," he said.

Teodoro said he had informed Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno about the latest development. He said Puno was to contact Tan to ask for more details.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding captive Italian Eugenio Vagni, who was reportedly suffering from hernia.

The two foreigners were with another ICRC worker, Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba, when kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf bandits near the Sulu provincial capitol in Patikul town last January 15.

Lacaba was released by the bandits to Sulu Vice-Governor Nur-ana Sahidula last April 2.

(2nd Update) ICRC worker Andreas Notter walks free | ABS-CBN News Online Beta

[eax]

Mao na siya ang naay hermia?

[karp miharby]

dli bro. ang naay hernia kay nabilin pa.

[vergievergz]

notter for the win!,,

[eax]

dli bro. ang naay hernia kay nabilin pa.

OK.

Para nako kanang mga Abu Sayyaf kay wala mga respeto sa Human Rights ug mga Humanitarian. But I'm wondering, ngano ang mga Commission of Human Rights and mga human rights advocate group hilom man kaayo?

[Tarmac]

Pahiya si Sen. Dickhead Gordon kay wala siyay ma-angkon sa pag eskapo ni Notter. Minimal na nuon iyang face time sa TV networks ug interview sa newspaper. Nahibaw-an lang niya nga nakaeskapo si Notter kay ang media nanawag niya.

[unsay_ngalan_nimo]

maayo naka-escape siya... si vagni kay maglisod ug escape kay tigulang na human kay naa pa gyud sakit... luoy... maka-escape sad unta or palayain na abu... pulbusin ang abu..

[baby_grace]

The news of the freedom of Andreas Notter is such a relief for the government as well as the Red Cross. He and his other two colleagues have suffered much physical strain in their days of captivity with the Abu Sayyaf. Nonetheless, the release of the remaining captive is yet to be secured at the soonest possible time because of his reported illness and need of surgery. Troops are still in position ready to rescue Mr. Vagni and pursue the Abu Sayyaf.