A bomb-rigged motorcycle exploded today near a convoy carrying the governor of a southern Philippine island where al-Qaida-linked rebels are active, wounding a mayor and at least three security escorts.

Philippine officials say a Red Cross worker from Switzerland has been rescued from al-Qaida-linked militants on a southern island three months after he and two other volunteers were kidnapped.

Philippine police have identified at least three people who may have kidnapped three Red Cross workers last week then turned them over to al Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf gunmen on violent Jolo Island.