Police rescue Chinese hostage in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police have rescued a Chinese trader who was held for over a year by his Abu Sayyaf captors in Sulu province, a police official said Tuesday.

Senior Superintendent Elmer Escosia of Sulu provincial police said Xili Wu was rescued around 8:30 p.m. Monday in the village of Lambago, Luuk town on Jolo island.

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Wu used the alias Peter Go to hide his illegal status in the country, said Chief Inspector Amil Banaan.

Wu, a native of Fujian province, China, was rescued after a 10-minute firefight late Monday between the police and Abu Sayyaf gunmen, the police reported.

The suspects are led by a certain Commander Saji, the police said.

Wu, 28, one of the five owners of Perlas Trading located in downtown Jolo, was kidnapped on December 14, 2008.

His four business associates have fled the island province of Sulu after he was kidnapped for fear of their safety.

The rescued hostage was brought to Zamboanga City immediately after undergoing medical check up in Jolo, the capital of Sulu, for debriefing.

Wu is planning to return to his native province in China, the police said. (Bong Garcia/AP/Sunnex)