Police rescued a Chinese businessman kidnapped more than a year ago by al-Qaeda-linked Islamic militants in the southern Philippines, a regional police chief said Tuesday, dpa reported.
Xi Li Wu was rescued late Monday after a clash between police and Muslim Abu Sayyaf rebels in Luuk town on Jolo island, about 1,000 kilometres south of Manila, Chief Superintendent Bienvenido Latag said.
Latag said the guerrillas abandoned the kidnap victim at the height of the fighting.
Police recovered two sniper rifles and a grenade left behind by the fleeing guerrillas.
Wu, also known as Peter Go, was abducted from his appliance store in Jolo town on December 13, 2008.
The Abu Sayyaf group has been blamed for deadly terrorist attacks and high-profile kidnappings of foreigners and businessmen in the country.