(CNN) -- A 14-year-old Filipino-American boy abducted in July by suspected Islamic militants in the Philippines is free, officials said. Kevin Lunsmann was reunited with his mother, the U.S. Embassy in Manila said Monday, without offering additional details. "It was a tough time. It was a tough five months," Kevin's father, Heiko, told CNN affiliate WSET, from the family home in Lynchburg, Virginia. "I'm just so happy." Heiko Lunsmann said the boy had plotted his escape for a while and eventually seized the opportunity some time late last week while his guards slept. He "was spotted alone" Saturday about six miles southwest of Lamitan City on the island of Basilan, a stronghold of the Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf, the official Philippines News Agency said.
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NEW: Kevin's father tells CNN affiliate the boy had plotted his escape for a while
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"An innocent victim is returned to his family," the ambassador says
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Report: Kevin walked for two days, surviving on candies and coconut
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His mother and cousin were released earlier
Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for several terrorist attacks in the @placeholder, including the bombing of a ferry in 2004 that left about 130 people dead, as well as past kidnappings.