Manila  - Philippine authorities on Friday offered a cash reward for information on the whereabouts of an abducted Irish Catholic priest amid unconfirmed reports that the hostage had died.

Father Michael Sinnott, 79, was abducted on October 11 by six gunmen who barged into the Columban House in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province, 890 kilometres south of Manila.

Allan Molde, provincial information officer, said the Pagadian City government was offering 200,000 pesos (4,300 dollars) for information that would lead to Sinnott's safe release.

He said authorities were also looking for proof he was alive.

"There have been numerous unconfirmed reports that Father Sinnott was already gone and while most have turned out to be false, we want to be sure that he is fine," Molde said.

"We are appealing to the people who may have information, help us resolve this crisis," he said. "Father Sinnott has undergone a quadruple heart bypass and at the age of 79, he does not have a very healthy condition."

Last week, the military said the kidnappers had contacted the Columban House. But no other details were made available.

Molde said the the crisis committee created to oversee the recovery of Sinnott has not heard from the kidnappers, who allegedly have ties with a notorious pirate.

Sinnott was first assigned in the southern region of Mindanao in 1957, but left the country in 1966. He returned in 1976 and in 1998 he established a school for special children in Pagadian City. (dpa)