A Norwegian man freed by militants after a year of jungle captivity in the southern Philippines has described the ordeal as "devastating".

Al Qaida-linked militants in the Philippines are facing a new battle against fellow Muslim insurgents.

Fears were growing today for the health of an elderly Irish missionary who was dramatically kidnapped in the Philippines by armed raiders who burst into his home.

A top al-Qaida-linked militant, long wanted by the US and Philippine authorities for deadly terror attacks, has been killed in a clash with troops in a major blow to his brutal rebel group, the military said today.

Heavily armed Muslim rebels released 89 hostages today in exchange for safe passage through Philippine military forces that have besieged them for more than 24 hours.