Kidnapped Sydney adventurer Warren “Wocca” Rodwell has reportedly been seen on the southern Philippine island of Basilan, the stronghold of criminals linked to the extremist Abu Sayyaf group.
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Philippine authorities say the reports came from both civilians and police on the island.
Basilan is four hours by speedboat from a village near the seaside town of Ipil on Mindanao island where Mr Rodwell was abducted on December 5.
Grave fears are held for Mr Rodwell who struggled violently with four gunmen posing as policemen who stormed his house.
A trail of blood indicates he was shot in the foot before he was handcuffed and dragged away.
Authorities have sent intelligence teams to Basilan to try to confirm the sightings.
“We have to carefully investigate the reports to determine their veracity,” military commander Ricardo Visaya told the Herald and Age online.
There are unconfirmed reports the kidnappers have contacted Rommel Jalosjos, the Zamboanga Sibugay provincial governor.
Mr Jalosjos, a former chef with BHP Billiton, has imposed a news blackout on the kidnapping at the request of Australia.
The Philippine military has blamed a local gang with links to the Abu Sayyaf for the kidnapping.
But authorities are also looking into the possible involvement of some members of a larger rebel group called the Moro Liberation Front (MILF), which is involved in peace talks with the Philippine government.
The MILF has denied any involvement in the kidnapping even though police and military intelligence reports have named one of its commanders, Barahama Ali, as a possible suspect.
Reports have also named as a suspect Wanning Abdusalam, a former MILF commander who has been disowned by the group after he was linked to terrorism and kidnapping.
Contrary to earlier reports Mr Rodwell was not running a store in Ipil with his Filipina wife Miraflor Gutang, 27, whom he had met through the internet in May.
Mr Rodwell, 53, bought the house in September. He fortified it with barbed wire and heavy bars and kept mostly to himself in the village.
A massive search for Mr Rodwell, a prolific world traveller and English teacher, has been under way.
Ms Gutang, also known as Grace, has appealed to the kidnappers to release her husband, saying she has no money to pay a ransom.
- with Al Jacinto in Zamboanga City
Lindsay Murdoch is the Herald and Age south-east Asia Correspondent.
