ZAMBOANGA (Philippines) - THE Philippines on Friday named five more Muslim separatist leaders from the country's restive south as suspects in the abduction of an Irish priest.

State prosecutors have now summoned six Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leaders on allegations they played a role in the October 11 abduction, national police chief Jesus Verzosa told a news conference here.

They include Salip Aloy Al Asree, a MILF brigade commander, who was accused earlier this week by Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno of being behind the kidnapping of Father Michael Sinnott, a Roman Catholic missionary.

The five MILF leaders named on Friday are Latip Jamad, Nasser Macabato, Imam Abubakar, Wanning Abdusalam and Saidamen Alik.

Sinnott, 79, who has a history of heart problems, was kidnapped by six armed men in the southern city of Pagadian on Mindanao island.

A video has been sent to authorities in the south, showing Sinnott speaking and demanding a two-million-dollar ransom for his release. -- AFP