Father Rufus Halley: Originally from Ireland

Father Rufus Halley, 57, was attacked by masked men as he rode home on his motorcycle to the town of Malabang on the southern island of Mindanao.

The police said the kidnappers may have links with the Muslim separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The group signed a ceasefire with the Philippines government early this month and is engaged in peace talks.

Peacemaker

Police have mounted a manhunt for the suspected kidnappers, said regional police chief Senior Superintendent Akmad Omar. One of the men being hunted is Sumagayan Daing, a son of a former commander of the MILF rebels.

He loved the work, he loved bringing Muslims and Christians together

Father Mulkerins

Eduardo Ermita, President Gloria Arroyo's adviser on the peace process, said the police suspected the kidnappers were rebel members of the MILF, rather than regular members.

The priest, from the Irish county of Waterford, had lived in the Philippines for 20 years, and worked to promote unity between Christians and Muslims in an area torn by separatist conflict. He had just come from a meeting between the two communities when he was attacked.

'Brave' man

He was a vocal advocate of peace talks with the MILF and last year publicly criticised then-President Joseph Estrada for calling off peace talks and launching a massive military offensive against the group.

The previous government called off peace talks

Father Mulkerins, a friend of the dead priest since their seminary days in Dublin, said his friend knew of the dangers of his work.

"Like the others, he loved the work, he loved bringing Muslims and Christians together ... He was very conscious of the risks but he was brave and tried to live in a way that would not antagonise anybody."

Mr Estrada was forced from office in January, and his successor, President Arroyo, restarted talks with the MILF two months later.

Foreign and Filipino missionaries have often been targeted by gunmen in Mindanao and nearby islands. The motive has mainly been kidnap for ransom.