ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - What would a kidnap victim likely miss most during his or her captivity?

For 71-year-old Charlie Rieth, a Swiss national who was kept for 2 months and 12 days, it's nothing but, "A good beer!"

Rieth disclosed this to journalists at a press conference after he was rescued by the police and the military in a coastal village early Wednesday morning.

Chief Superintendent Francisco Cristobal of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Western Mindanao revealed that joint operatives of the police and the military intercepted the kidnappers in the coastal village of Labuan, the last barangay of Zamboanga City in the west coast area before reaching Zamboanga del Norte.

Cristobal said he suspects the group came from Sibuco municipality in Zamboanga del Norte and was planning to take their captive "somewhere else."

Authorities would not reveal how they got the information that the kidnappers would be docking at the coastal area of Labuan. The kidnappers reportedly scampered upon seeing they were outnumbered by government troops, leaving Rieth behind.

Rieth was immediately brought to a military hospital for an initial medical check-up. He also underwent a debriefing before he was transferred to a local private hospital.

“Smoking Joe and Mighty”

Facing the media, Rieth recounted his ordeal. He said that initially, he was guarded by around 5 young men, which became two in the latter part of his captivity.

Rieth said some of his captors threatened him by cocking their firearms in his presence and making a sign that they would kill him. Rieth brought this up with the leader of the group, whom he identified as "Abu Jahid," who then admonished his followers to "show some respect to a senior citizen."

At that point, Rieth said his life flashed before his eyes, thinking that he would die in captivity. But later, he found the will to stay alive and stopped entertaining negative thoughts.

"We had to travel long to get a phone signal, there was not much chance to talk to relatives or to the press," Rieth said.

Since his kidnappers would not identify themselves, Rieth gave them nicknames, such as “Smoking Joe” to the one who smoked a lot, and “Mighty” to the one who carried him when he could no longer walk.

He said he found it most difficult when they had to break camp and transfer to another location. "Being at a sedentary stage, it’s so difficult to camp out at different sites, walking, waiting for news."

Rieth could not identify the places he was brought to. The police said that it was "somewhere in Triple SB," referring to the Sibuco, Siocon, Sirawai and Baliguian towns in Zamboanga del Norte.

Rieth, meanwhile, said he has no intention of leaving Zamboanga City.

"Maybe I'll take a furlough for a month, but I’m definitely not leaving for good. I was born and raised here," Rieth said.

After the press conference, Rieth was brought back to the local hospital to rest.

Welcome back party

His friends, meanwhile, are preparing a “grand welcome back party" at a local Japanese restaurant, where Rieth used to hang out since 1992.

Drigo Balbon said they are so happy with Rieth's release. "We were so worried of his health especially he is already not that young to suffer a life in the jungles," Balbon said.

Before his rescue, Rieth’s kidnappers asked for P20 million for his release.

Rieth was taken from his resthouse at Sitio Parkampo, Barangay Patalon, west of Zamboanga City, on April 4, Easter Sunday.