DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Police on Tuesday have launched an operation to locate and rescue a Chinese-Filipino engineer who was abducted by armed men in southern Philippines on Monday.

Engineer Victor Lim-Tan was snatched by eight armed men while supervising a bridge project in Zone 3 village, Lanuza town, Surigao del Sur province around 9 am local time.

According to Superintendent Martin Gamba, spokesman for the Caraga regional police, the incident was reported to police by Lim- Tan's personal driver.  

The witness said the suspects were in civilian attire and armed with undetermined caliber of firearms.

The 67-year old Lim-Tan once served as mayor of the nearby Carrascal town.