Regional police official Felicisimo Khu says Joel Indino Jr. was freed by his captors late Saturday in Payao town in Zamboanga Sibugay province and later underwent a medical checkup in a police camp. Khu said Sunday ransom was reportedly paid but the victim’s family has refused to comment. Several people have been kidnapped so far this year in the south in abductions blamed mostly on Abu Sayyaf or kidnap gangs.