A schoolgirl has been rescued after she was abducted and stuffed in a suitcase by her family's apartment caretaker in the Philippines.

Eight-year-old Jin Nichole You, who has dual Filipino and Korean nationality, was returning home when he was bundled into the case in the town of Bakilid in Mandaue City, Cebu province before noon on August 10.

Her family became worried when she failed to enter the building. Frantic mum Tyree Rendal checked the apartment's security cameras and was horrified to see an unidentified person in a hoodie inside the property's gates.

The suspect was seen dragging along a large black suitcase believed to have concealed the girl.

Mandaue City police received a report at around 5:00 pm and launched a search for the missing child.

Officers tracked down the suspect's location to an apartment in the same district later that evening.

They arrested Godiflor Rama, 32, the caretaker of the apartment where the victim and her parents were staying.

Jin was found disheveled but alive. She was taken to the Women Children's Protection Desk of the Subangdaku Police Station to tell officers what had happened.

Speaking to local media, the suspect Godiflor said: 'I hope the family can forgive me for what I did. I only did that because they were accusing me of stealing their belongings, like their bags and hangers.

'I admit that the girl is attractive, but that doesn't mean that I like her. I did not rape her. I did not sexually assault her.'

Police said Godiflor had used his familiarity with the girl and her family to carry out his plan.

In a statement, the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO7) said: 'The police team immediately utilized modern technology, in-depth investigation and comprehensive intelligence resulting in the successful tracking of the suspect and the victim.

'Three hours after the incident came to the knowledge of the operatives, an intricate rescue police operation was immediately conducted paving the way to the successful rescue of the victim and the arrest of the suspect.'

Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, PRO7 Regional Director, said: 'I would like to recognize the very swift action of the able, active and allied police operatives of PRO 7 who participated in the rescue operation of the minor kidnap victim and the arrest of the kidnapper.'

Jin has been safely reunited with her mother and is recovering from the ordeal.

Grateful mum Tyree said: 'I would like to thank the police and investigators from the bottom of my heart. They acted swiftly just to save my daughter.

'I couldn't imagine that this kind of thing would happen to us. We love Jin so much, everyone knows what a good girl she is.

'Everyone's effort will not be wasted. We will proceed with the legal case to obtain justice for my daughter.'