Red Cross workers kidnapped in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Three Red Cross aid workers were abducted in the Philippines Thursday, officials said.

The kidnappings occurred while they were on their way to the airport on the island of Jolo, The Times of London reported. The region is known as a stronghold for Islamic militants linked to al-Qaida, the British newspaper said on its Web site.

The Red Cross workers -- said to be from Switzerland, Italy and the Philippines -- were in a car that was forced to a stop by gunmen on motorbikes. The aid workers' driver and two other Filipinos were freed.

A military spokeswoman, Lt. Estefani Cacho, identified the kidnapped workers as Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipino Jean Lacaba.