Police commandos, on a remote southern island in the Philippines, rescued a Chinese national held captive for about 18 months by a group of Islamist militants.

Xili Wu, also known as Peter Go, was unharmed after a 10-minute firefight between security forces and dozens of Abu Sayyaf militants guarding Wu late on Monday night.

[Elmer Escosia, Senior Police Superintendent]:
"Because he was in captivity for so long, almost 18 months, he has violated the immigration law. Now we are turning him over to the Chinese consul, in accordance with the government's instructions. He is healthy, he has no ailments, he only has scratches due to mosquito bites and he has a minor sprain on his right foot."

He was airlifted to Manila after undergoing a medical check-up at a military hospital.

The militants ran for safety after the gunfire fight, leaving behind the captive and a cache of weapons. There were no casualties in the brief gun battle.

Wu was taken at gunpoint, by a group of militants, at an electrical supply shop in downtown Jolo in December 2008. They demanded an initial U.S.$430,000 ransom for his release.