(UPDATE) Swiss national rescued by gov't troops from Abu Sayyaf militants

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - Government troops rescued a Swiss national from the Abu Sayyaf militants early this morning.

Rescued victim Lorenzo Vinceguerre, 49, is one of the two European bird watchers held for more than 2 years by the Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Philippines island province of Sulu.

He was reportedly injured during the rescue operation in a village of Patikul town, said Capt. Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson of Western Mindanao Command.

She said the troops of the joint Task Force Sulu under Colonel Alan Arrojado launched the law enforcement operation against the Abu Sayyaf group, sparking a firefight about 5:20 a.m. Saturday.

"Joint Task Force Sulu commander Col. Arrojado said Vinceguerre disclosed that he took chance to escape from his captors as the government forces were intensifying the operation," Muyuela said.

"While he was running away he was shot by the other member of the Abu Sayyaf group (ASG) that resulted in his injuries," she added.

Muyuela said the troops intercepted Vinceguerra and rescued him.

The victim was described to be in stable condition as he was brought to the military trauma hospital for treatment.

The military said there were more than 10 hostages still held in captivity by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.

The 400-strong ASG, founded in the early 1990s by Islamic extremists, is a violent terrorist group operating in the southern Philippines. The ASG is notorious for a series of kidnappings, bombings and even beheadings in southern Philippines over the past decades.  

The ASG operates mainly in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi Provinces in the Sulu Archipelago and has a presence on Mindanao. Members also occasionally travel to Manila.