Joint elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and civilian territorial forces recovered Saturday Swiss national Andreas Notter, one of the three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) volunteers kidnapped by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits. He is the second hostage to gain freedom.

Director General Jesus A. Verzosa, PNP chief, said the troops manning a security cordon in a remote barangay in Indanan, Sulu, got hold of Notter as they were passing on the bandits who were trying to escape from the area.

Verzosa said that Notter was immediately taken by the government forces to the house of Sulu Governor Sakur Tan after his escape.

According to police reports, Notter appeared to be in good health although he looked exhausted.

Police and military officials would not release other details on Notter's escape from the Abu Sayyaf, cliaming that they are still conducting follow up operation for the possible rescue of the remaining ICRC kidnap victim, Italian Eugenio Vagni.

Notter was left by his Abu Sayyaf captors who were attempting to flee from a military and police cordon at Barangay Maniloc in Indanan at around 5 a.m.

The Swiss national was spotted by members of the CEF, a territorial force of the PNP composed of residents in the area, walking in the forest.

"The safe recovery of Notter is a relief to all government agencies working for the safe release of the ICRC victims, and is a proof of their unrelenting efforts," AFP chief of staff Gen. Alexander Yano said.

Immediately after he was taken into the custody of government forces, Notter was subjected to "procedural psychological debriefing" and medical check up sessions, Yano said.

“We cannot at the moment disclose all the details that transpired, as doing so may derail current efforts by the Task Force ICRC and security forces to ensure the safe release of the remaining victim, Vagni,” the AFP chief added.

Yano emphasized that all peaceful efforts are being exhausted to ensure Vagni’s safe release from the Abu Sayyaf custody.

“We pray that this, too, will lead to the release of Vagni, who is suffering from hernia, and the kidnappers to come to their senses and release the last victim,” Yano added.

Early this month, ICRC volunteer Marie Jean Lacaba, a Filipino, was released by the Abu Sayyaf bandits under Albader Parad after demanding a “pull back” of the government forces from their original positions.

Lacaba was fetched by Sulu Vice Governor Ann Salidullah from the Abu Sayyaf lair. Salidullah later resigned as member of the government crisis committee due to controversy over ransom payment to the bandits in exchange for the freedom of Lacaba.