Philippine group frees hostage

Philippine group frees hostage

PHILIPPINES: A Chinese hostage held for months by Muslim
gunmen on a southern Philippine island was released Friday night
after a separatist group that recently agreed to a ceasefire
negotiated for his freedom.

The release was made while President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
was visiting China to attend the Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) forum in Shanghai.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it had
negotiated for the release of Zhang Zhung Yi at the request of
Libyan Envoy Salem Adam.

The Chinese government had earlier sought the help of Malaysia
and Libya to help free Zhang, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu told
Reuters on Saturday. -- Reuters