Kidnappers have freed a man after more than two months of captivity in the southern Philippines. Kidnappings for ransom have flourished in the volatile region for years.
Regional police official Felicisimo Khu says Joel Indino Jr. was freed by his captors late Saturday in Payao town in Zamboanga Sibugay province and later underwent a medical checkup in a police camp.
Khu said Sunday ransom was reportedly paid but the victim's family has refused to comment.
Several people have been kidnapped so far this year in the south in abductions blamed mostly on al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf militants or kidnap gangs.
A confidential police report says 105 people were abducted in 67 kidnappings for ransom in the Philippines last year.
