Zamboanga City, Philippines  - One policeman was killed Saturday and another wounded in a clash with Muslim militants holding captive an Italian Red Cross worker on a southern Philippine island, a police report said.

The report said another police officer was wounded in the combat between government troops and Abu Sayyaf rebels in Indanan town on Jolo Island, 1,000 kilometres south of Manila.

The guerrillas are holding captive Eugenio Vagni, 62, a member of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Eight Abu Sayyaf rebels and two marines were killed in fighting on Thursday in Indanan, while seven marines were wounded.

Thousands of government troops have been scouring the mountains of Jolo in a bid to rescue Vagni, who has been held captive by the al-Qaeda-linked guerrillas since January 15.

Vagni was abducted with two colleagues after inspecting a water and sanitation project at the Jolo provincial jail. His colleagues - a Swiss and a Filipino - were freed separately in April.

The Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for some of the worst terrorist attacks and high-profile kidnappings in the country. (dpa)