MANILA, Philippines – Philippine troops on Wednesday rescued a kidnapped American businessman who was chained by his neck and feet for 22 days by a lone abductor, Philippine and U.S. officials said.
Alastair Joseph Onglingswan, 35, was rescued unharmed by a government anti-kidnap force and military intelligence agents in a house in Bacoor town in Cavite province south of Manila (search), officials said.
The alleged kidnapper was arrested and was being interrogated, officials said.
Onglingswan, still looking dazed and wearing a thin beard, met and thanked President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (search) for his rescue. He was abducted on Jan. 20, but his disappearance was not reported.
"I have all my body parts. Glad to be here, really grateful and touched by the support of Filipinos and Americans," he told reporters.
U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Karen Kelley welcomed Onglingswan's rescue by Philippine law enforcement, but did not provide other details.
Angelo Reyes, who heads the anti-kidnap force, described Onglingswan as a businessman from Los Angeles who was thinking of investing in the Philippines.
Onglingswan was abducted in Manila, while on his way to a gym in a taxi, officials said.
Arroyo has ordered a crackdown on kidnappings, which have scared away investors and tourists. She has also lifted a moratorium on the death penalty for convicted kidnappers and drug traffickers, although none has been executed yet.
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