A Filipino midwife seized by suspected Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants in south Philippines has escaped to safety, military and police said Sunday.

The victim, Elizar Gomera, 45, of southern city of Lamitan, ranaway from the captors at around 22:00 Saturday night (1400 GMT) from the jungles of Basilan island, ten days after his seizure, Lieutenant Esteffani Cacho, a regional military spokeswoman, said.

Gomera was taken by suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen on January 28 after helping deliver a baby at Lamitan town of Basilan.

Police said Gomera is now safe, being debriefed in local police station.

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2009)