Zamboanga City, Philippines - A Catholic priest survived an attack by suspected al-Qaeda-linked militants Saturday in the southern Philippines, but four of his security escorts were wounded, a Marine officer said.

The priest, identified as Mon Libot, and his security escorts of Marines and pro-government militiamen were aboard a vehicle when they were attacked by suspected Abu Sayyaf rebels in Sumisip town in Basilan province, 900 kilometres south of Manila.

The officer said the priest was unhurt except for bruises on his body, while the four wounded security escorts were being treated in a nearby hospital.

More troops were dispatched to the area to pursue the attackers.

Zamboanga City, Philippines - One suspected Islamic militant was killed and three were arrested in a shootout with police in the southern Philippines, the military said Saturday.

The fighting erupted in Jolo town on Jolo island, 1,000 kilometres south of Manila, when police accosted a group of armed men they believed had been planning a kidnapping.

"The armed men appeared to have planned snatching Chinese businessmen, but their attempt was foiled," said Major General Juancho Sabban.

Zamboanga City, Philippines  - Gunmen on Thursday seized a fishing boat with 17 crew members in the sea off the southern Philippines, a navy official said.

Rear Admiral Emilio Marayag said the fishing boat and its crew

were seized by unidentified gunmen off Taganak Island in Tawi-Tawi province, 1,095 kilometres south of Manila.

Marayag said the fishing boat was owned and operated by Manila-based Irma Fishing Co.

"We cannot provide more details about the incident because the owner is not coordinating with us.

Zamboanga City, Philippines - A homemade bomb was found Thursday near a government building in a southern Philippine city amid tight security on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, police said.

The explosive device, made with 3 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, was concealed in a black plastic bag left in a vacant lot in front of the local legislative building in Zamboanga City, 875 kilometres south of Manila.

Zamboanga City, Philippines - Four marines were killed Saturday when suspected Islamic militants attacked their encampment on a southern Philippine island, a regional military spokesman said.

Ten more marines were wounded in the fighting that erupted when suspected Abu Sayyaf rebels fired mortars at the marines encampment in Patikul town on Jolo island, 
1,000 kilometres south of Manila, Major Eugene Batara said.

Batara said no casualties were reported on the enemy side.