Manila  - Muslim militants abandoned a farm worker they abducted during a raid on southern Philippine village as troops closed in on them, a military spokesman said Tuesday.

Government security forces found the hostage, Hernald Jace Delos Chavez, in the jungles of Al-Barkah town in Basilan province, 900 kilometres south of Manila, on Monday evening.

Captain Neil Estrella said Abu Sayyaf rebels left Chavez behind as they fled government troops closing in on their hideout.

Estrella said Chavez was unharmed from his 11 days in captivity.

Chavez was among three farm workers seized by the guerrillas during a raid on the farming village of Arco on April 10, when the predominantly Catholic country observed Good Friday.

The rebels executed the other two farm workers.

Abu Sayyaf guerrillas are still holding captive a Sri Lankan peace advocate, six public school teachers and a lending firm employee in Basilan.

A separate group of Abu Sayyaf rebels are holding captive an Italian Red Cross workers on the nearby island of Jolo.

Both Basilan and Jolo are strongholds of the Abu Sayyaf, which has been blamed for some of the worst terrorist attacks and high-profile kidnappings in the Philippines. (dpa)