Fil-Chinese student jumps off cliff to elude captors

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A Filipino-Chinese student snatched Thursday night in Pagadian City escaped from his captors by jumping off a cliff in Diplahan town, Zamboanga del Sur on Friday, police reported yesterday.

Stephen Mago Tan, 19, who was seized by three armed men, was found by police officers and Diplahan town Mayor Cris Jore in Barangay Little Baguio, Imelda town, at 5:15 p.m. Friday.

Tan was brought to the office of the mayor for debriefing and medical check-up as police and military troops launched pursuit operation against the kidnappers.

Investigation showed that Tan escaped from his captors at around 1:30 p.m. Friday as they were trekking a mountain trail. 

Tan told police his captors initially chased him but gave up later on. He said he hid in a shanty and asked someone to call his father, who informed Jore of his son’s whereabouts.

Tan was reunited with his family Friday night.