Tourists taken hostage in Philippines

Up to 20 people, including foreign tourists, have been taken hostage by armed men from a Philippine island resort.

The reported kidnappings occurred at the Dos Palmas Island Resort at Honda Bay in Palawan province.

Military officials said about 20 unidentified men in ski masks took two Americans, a Spaniard, 13 Chinese Filipinos and four resort workers at gunpoint.

They fled aboard a motorboat. At least one child was among those abducted.

Military chief Dimedio Villanueva commented: "We are now scouring the islands."

He added that the Americans were a couple who had an address in the Manila area.

He would not comment on speculation that the kidnappers were Muslim extremists.

Captain Djo Jalandoni, with the military's western command, added: "We are looking for the perpetrators who were traveling south.

"We have out helicopters and airplanes with reconnaissance capabilities. We also have patrol boats going in that direction to cut them off. There's a good possibility they're heading to Jolo."

Jolo is where the Abu Sayyaf group is based.