Kidnapped Taiwanese released in Sulu

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A female Taiwanese who was kidnapped in Malaysia last month was freed in Sulu yesterday afternoon, local military said today.

The victim, identified as Evelyn Chang, was rescued by joint military and police units at Liban village in Talipao town at around 3:55 p.m. local time, said Captain Ryan Lacuesta, civil military operations officer of the 2nd Marine Brigade.

He said authorities received information from Talipao residents regarding the kidnapped victim who was apparently abandoned by her unidentified captors.

Chang was seized on Nov. 15 at Pulao, Pulong-Pulong, Sampurna, Sabah, Malaysia and was brought to the municipality of Indanan, Sulu.

The recovered kidnap victim was immediately brought to Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for medical check up and trauma treatment, said Lacuesta, who did not mention if ransom was paid for Chang's safe release.