Manila  - Six suspects in the kidnapping of a Pakistani businessman and his Filipino friend were arrested in the northern Philippines, a police spokesman said Monday.

The suspects were apprehended late Sunday shortly after releasing the victims in a remote highway in Hermosa town in Bataan province, 75 kilometres north of Manila, according to Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome.

Bartolome said the suspects were positively identified by relatives of the victims who paid 400,000 pesos (8,421 dollars) for their safe release.

The victims, identified as Yasser Irfan and his Filipino companion Ramon Becares, were kidnapped on January 9 in nearby Bagac town, also in Bataan province. The kidnappers initially demanded 5 million pesos in ransom.

Relatives of the victims immediately sought the help of the police who closely monitored the negotiations and launched operations to capture the suspects.

Bartolome said marked money used to pay the ransom was recovered. (dpa)