ZAMBOANGA CITY: A Swiss Red Cross worker is now free after being held hostage for over three months by extremists, officials said. But conflicting version of how Andreas Notter regained his freedom on Friday evening gave rise to confusion whether he was freed by the Abu Sayyaf or rescued by government security forces.

Notter himself said he was still confused because “everything happened very quickly.”

“I’m still a little bit confused how it happened,” a haggard looking Notter told reporters as he was formally turned over to Red Cross representatives by Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno.

Notter talked about walking with his captors prior to his freedom, but exactly how the authorities got hold of him remained unclear. “I walked out and I’m happy to be alive and safe,” he said.

Notter, along with Italian national Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Mary Jean Lacaba, was seized by Abu Sayyaf group on Jan. 15 while on a humanitarian mission as volunteer workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Sulu. Lacaba was released on April 2.

The government said it had no immediate details about the fate of 62-year-old Vagni, who was believed to be unwell and in need of hernia surgery. Notter called on authorities to do everything they could to rescue Vagni, whom he said was in pain from his condition.

Malacañang welcomed news Notter has regained his freedom.

“This is very good news not only for Notter’s family, friends or co-workers but everyone else who prayed for his safety, and for our military, police and government officials who worked tirelessly for his release,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said over the government-run Radyo ng Bayan.

“We reiterate our call to the kidnappers to release the last hostage, and we commend the local crisis management committee, the police, military, the ulama and all those who in one way or the other has helped in the release of Mr. Notter,” he said.

ICRC spokesperson Anastasia Isyuk said they had yet to talk to Notter. “So far, we have not been able to see him or talk to him,” she said But she said the ICRC remained concerned about Vagni.

“We’re relieved to hear the latest news (about) Andreas and remain concerned about the safety of Eugenio,” Isyuk said. “We are hopeful that he remains safe and unharmed.”

Chief Superintendent Felizardo Serapio, chief of the Western Mindanao police’s integrated police operation, said Notter was actually rescued by militiamen and members of the Indanan police force yesterday morning.

“Notter was rescued by these groups consisting of Civilian Emergency Force (CEF) and the Indanan police. Actually I don’t have a clear picture yet, everything is still garbled,” he said.

Serapio said what was clear was that Notter was now free. He said Notter was rescued near a government security cordon in the municipality of Indanan early yesterday morning. “We got Notter near an established cordon,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said Notter was found in Indanan town. “I’m not sure what particular barangay in Indanan, but whether he was recovered, released or rescued, that I cannot say,” Allaga said.