The Ceylon News

A Sri Lankan peace advocate has been taken from his home by nine armed men in the south of the Philippines.

Omar Jalil, 36, was based in Lamitan on Basilan Island for the nonpartisan group Nonviolent Peaceforce, which has been monitoring the Muslim insurgency.

Militants are holding three teachers and a clerk on Basilan, and three Red Cross workers on nearby Jolo Island.

The kidnap of Mr Jalil was seen as surprising by locals as he was described as a Muslim preacher.

Lamitan city mayor Roderick Furigay told reporters that Mr Jalil had stayed on the island after other members of his group left.

"We are surprised the gunmen did not spare him for being a Muslim religious leader," Mr Furigay was quoted as saying.

The Filipino caretaker at Mr Jalil's house managed to escape the gunmen and is reported to be helping troops search nearby jungles.

Wave of kidnaps

The recent upsurge in kidnappings has been attributed by some analysts to the Abu Sayyaf Group of armed militants, renowned for high profile kidnappings in which large ransoms are demanded.

Philippine troops have been trying to reach the area on Jolo Island where the three Red Cross workers - Eugenio Vagni, Mary Jean Lacaba and Andreas Notter - have been held since they were grabbed on 15 January.

Earlier this week, clashes occurred in which the military says two militants were killed and nine marines wounded.

Brigadier General Gaudencio Pangilinan said the hostages were believed to be unhurt.

In phone calls and a radio broadcast last week, the hostages asked for a negotiated solution to their plight.