An Indian man kidnapped more than a year ago on a troubled southern Philippine island escaped Friday when his Muslim captors fell asleep after fasting for Ramadan, police said. Biju Kolara Veetil, 37, was abducted by suspected Muslim extremists in June last year in Jolo while visiting his Filipina wife’s family on the strife-torn island. But he snuck away from his sleeping captors before dawn Friday, hitching a ride then taking refuge with a local official before contacting police, said local police chief Senior Superintendent Antonio Freyra. “The kidnappers were resting. They had been fasting (for Ramadan) and they got tired and fell asleep, so he slipped away,” Freyra said. The Indian, who said he lost 20 kilogrammes (44 pounds) in captivity, appeared to be in good health, the police chief said.
