Alvin Magdamit, mayor of Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur province, said armed men from a local clan seized 16 public school teachers in the township of La Purisima.

Magdamit said their crisis committee is negotiating for the release of the abducted victims.

"We are closely monitoring the situation. We want assurance of the victims' safety," said Magdamit.

In December 2009, some 15 gunmen raided a school in Prosperidad and took 75 people hostage who were later all released.