Kidnapped Irish priest Michael Sinnott 'spotted alive by Philippines army'

Fr Sinnott, 79, and his heavily armed captors were seen on Monday in a coastal area of Lanao del Sur province about 43 miles southeast from where he was abducted, regional military chief Major General Ben Dolorfino said.

"The victim and his kidnappers were sighted in Lanao del Sur," Mr Dolorfino told reporters, but declined to give specific details so as not to jeopardise pursuit operations.

He declined to elaborate when asked why troops were not immediately sent in to rescue Fr Sinnott, who was seized by six armed men from his home at the Missionary Society of St Columban compound in Pagadian city on Sunday.

Mr Dolorfino also gave no details about Fr Sinnott's health, after the priest's colleagues said a heart problem meant he may not survive the ordeal, and only expressed hope his abductors would treat him well.