Philippine cops free Indian hostage

2013-01-04 17:01

(Picture: Shutterstock)

Manila - Philippine officials say police have rescued a kidnapped Indian businessman whose severed finger was delivered to his family. Four abductors were killed in a shootout and another was arrested.

Police spokesperson Renato Gumban says Gurtej Singh was rescued on Friday during a raid of the kidnappers' hideout in northern Bulacan province.

He says Singh and his wife Kulwinder Kaur were talking to clients of their money-lending business along a road in Pulilan township when the kidnappers struck on 22 December.

They demanded $490 000 in ransom. The amount was later reduced to $24 500.

Gumban says Kaur was freed on Saturday after her family paid $6 800.

When Singh's ransom did not arrive on Sunday, the kidnappers left his severed finger near his home.

- SAPA