Swiss kidnap victim hospitalized

MANILA, Philippines - The Swiss hostage who escaped from his Abu Sayyaf captors has been turned over to the Swiss embassy and is now being treated in a hospital in Manila.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said military doctors checked the condition of Lorenzo Vinciguerra before he was transported to Manila last Saturday.

Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber and AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. met Vinciguerra, who arrived on a chartered plane at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at around 6:20 p.m.

He was brought to an undisclosed hospital for further treatment.

“The Swiss embassy has expressed its gratitude to the Philippine government, especially the AFP units in Sulu led by Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero for the safe recovery and immediate evacuation of Mr. Vinciguerra to Zamboanga City and finally, to a safe location in Manila,” Cabunoc said.

Security officials said the military’s ground troops are conducting pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf terrorists who are still holding at least six persons hostage.

AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla told ABS-CBN News Channel that the military offensives provided Vinciguerra the opportunity to escape. Vinciguerra, 49, is one of two European birdwatchers kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf bandits on Feb. 1, 2012 in Tawi-Tawi.

Also snatched were his Dutch companion Elwold Horn and their Filipino guide Ivan Sarenas, who escaped by jumping into the sea as they were being transported by boat to Sulu.  

On Saturday, the military reported that Vinciguerra escaped from his captors as security forces were launching offensives against the bandits in the jungles of Patikul, Sulu.

During the encounter, Vinciguerra reportedly grabbed the machete of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist guarding him.

The Swiss birdwatcher sustained a wound on the left cheek as he and his guard grappled for the machete. Vinciguerra got hold of the machete and hacked the bandit’s neck.

Security forces found Vinciguerra in Barangay Timpook in Patikul, Sulu and brought him to Camp Navarro Hospital in Zamboanga City.

Authorities could not say if ransom was paid to secure Vinciguerra’s release but military officials insist that the escape was made possible by their operations. – With AP