Philippines: hostage of Islamist militants swims to safety while two others die

One Indonesian captive survives, one drowns and a Malaysian shot dead during military rescue attempt

An Indonesian hostage held by Islamist militants in the southern Philippines has swum his way to freedom but another drowned, while a Malaysian captive was shot in the back while escaping.

The two Indonesians and the Malaysian separately escaped while Philippine marines were attempting to rescue them on Simusa island in southern Sulu province in the past two days, regional military spokesman Lt Col Gerry Besana said.