Manila  - Police officers rescued a kidnapped Chinese architect unharmed on Saturday after 17 days in captivity in the Philippine capital, a police official said.

Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina said Ka Kuen Chua, 46, was rescued after police officers raided the kidnappers' lair in Novaliches district in Manila's suburban Quezon City.

Leonardo Espina said the kidnappers fired at the police officers, triggering a shootout that resulted in the killing of one of the suspects, identified as Christopher Canson.

Espina said two other kidnappers escaped and pursuit operations were being conducted by police operatives.

Chua was seized on September 10 by four unidentified gunmen outside his hardware store in Quezon City. The kidnappers demanded 30 million pesos (642,398 dollars) in ransom. (dpa)