Manila: The government has said it is closely monitoring the latest abduction incident involving the mayor of a southern Philippine town and his two bodyguards.

Military spokesman Major Eugenio Osias says rebels in two vans seized Mayor Henry Dano, of Lingig town, Surigao del Sur from his home early Saturday morning.

The spokesman says the guerrillas ambushed responding troops, killing one and wounding five.

According to reports communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels took him as well as two soldiers who served as the mayor's bodyguards. The gunmen were disguised as National Bureau of Investigation agents.

Mayor Dano was dragged by the suspects to a waiting van, according to Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Rafal.

"Upon entering the gate of the house of Mayor Dano, the suspects disarmed the two military escorts and seized the mayor," he said. "The rebels were aboard two vans."

Checkpoints

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said local crisis management authorities are on top of the situation concerning the abduction. The abduction comes as the government holds talks with the NPA to end one of Asia's longest-running insurgency.

The motive for the kidnapping is unclear. Rebels have occasionally abducted officials over the 42-year insurgency for trial in "people's courts" for alleged wrongdoings.

"Governor Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur has convened the provincial crisis committee. We'll be looking to them for more details. We have to trust in the competence of provincial and local crisis committees," Valte said in an interview aired over government-run dzRB radio.

No demands

Valte said steps had been taken to prevent Dano's abductors from leaving the province. She said checkpoints had been set up by the police and armed forces were situated at strategic areas in Surigao del Sur.

Chief Superintendent Reynaldo Rafal of the Caraga Region police said so far the crisis management committee had not received any demands from the rebels.

Dano's abduction follows that of former Lingig town mayor and now Vice-Mayor Roberto "Jimmy" Luna Jr. Luna, along with his four bodyguards, were abducted on May 5, 2010 in Compostela Valley by NPA rebels.

— With inputs from agencies