(UPDATE) Kidnapped Filipino-Chinese student escapes in ZamboSur

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - A Filipino- Chinese college student, who was kidnapped in Zamboanga del Sur last Thursday, managed to escape from his captors the following day, local police said today.

According to Ariel Huesca, the spokesman for regional police office, the kidnapped victim, identified as Stephen Tan, escaped from his abductors during transportation at around 1:30 p.m. Friday in Little Baguio village, Imelda town in Zamboanga Sibugay, a neighbor province of Zamboanga del Sur.

Initial police investigation disclosed that the victim managed to escape from his abductors after the latter took off his blindfold while he was being transported. Then, Tan jumped from a cliff. His abductors chased him, but he was able to hide at a grassy portion and later sought help from locals to contact his family.

Tan's relatives coordinated with the local authorities who immediately conducted a rescue operation resulting to the safe recovery of the victim, the police said.

The police, with the help of local military personnel, are now continuously conducting intensive manhunt operations against the suspects who kidnapped Tan, Huesca said.

Tan, an engineering student of Southern Mindanao College, was abducted last Thursday night by 3 bonnet wearing gunmen in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.