Swiss birdwatcher escapes from Abus

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – An Abu Sayyaf hostage made a daring escape when he fought one of his captors as government troops assaulted the bandits in the jungles of Patikul, Sulu yesterday, a senior military official said.

Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, Western Mindanao Command chief, said Swiss national Lorenzo Vinciguerra took the chance to run away when elements of the Joint Task Force Sulu launched an offensive against the Abu Sayyaf at 5:20 am.

At least five members of the bandit group were killed while seven government troops were wounded during the operation.

Government troops recovered Vinciguerra, 49, in Timpook, also in Patikul town, about four kilometers from where he escaped.

“He encountered an Abu Sayyaf member during his flight but fought his way out, that is why he was hit on his left cheek with a machete,” Guerrero said after talking to Vinciguerra at Camp Navarro General Hospital (CNGH) here.

Vinciguerra is one of two European birdwatchers who have been held captive by the bandits. He was kidnapped along with his companion, Dutch Elwold Horn, and Filipino guide Ivan Sarenas on Feb. 1, 2012 off Tawi-Tawi province.

Sarenas managed to escape while they were being led to Tawi-Tawi.

Negotiations were reportedly made but did not prosper after the Abu Sayyaf demanded a hefty ransom payment.

Pursuit operations are still ongoing for the recovery of the remaining captive, according to the military.

Guerrero said Vinciguerra was flown to Manila aboard a private plane.

He was escorted by a military surgeon and will be turned over to Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber, who said they are relieved now that Vinciguerra is free.

“The holidays will be happy especially for Lorenzo and his family. They will be together for the first time after missing out on the past two Christmases,” Sieber said in a text message to The STAR. – With Pia Lee-Brago, Jaime Laude