Kidnapped Chinese teenager released in S. Philippines

MANILA - A Chinese teenager kidnapped by suspected members of terror group Abu Sayyaf two months ago was released early Wednesday, a police official said Thursday.

Police Senior Superintendent Roy Bahian, director of the Zamboanga Sibugay provincial police office, said 18-year-old Li Peizhi was found in a village in the town of Alicia.

The victim is now in the provincial police office, where he is undergoing investigation and debriefing.

Li was seized by four unidentified gunmen on Sept 11 when he was working late at a store in the town of Kabasalan.

The kidnappers brought the teenager to a nearby island province of Basilan and held him captive for nearly two months.

On Tuesday, Bahian said Li and his two abductors left Basilan province and boarded a motorized pump boat bound for Alicia.

Li went to the municipal police station where he was met by family friends after he was released before dawn Wendesday.

Police could not confirm whether ransom was paid in exchange for Li's freedom.