MANILA - A Chinese fish dealer was kidnapped on Friday by a group of four armed men in Tawi-Tawi province in south Philippines, the military said Friday.

The latest information provided by Philippine Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command spokesman Randolph Cabangbang shows that the Chinese national, surnamed Pang, was kidnapped with a rifle in Sitangkai, a town in Tawi-Tawi, on Wednesday. The suspects used a motorized boat marking Akp Akhro for the kidnapping.

Philippine policemen have coordinated with the Naval intelligence Security Group in the region to conduct rescue operation, Cabangbang said.

Chinese consulate in Cebu confirmed the kidnapping case, but said the kidnapped man surnamed Chen, not Pang as the military said. The consulate is keeping close contact with local police for more information.