COTABATO CITY, Philippines—Actor Robin Padilla could end up being kidnapped himself if he decides to go to Sulu to help in the efforts to free the three workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross held hostage there by suspected Abu Sayyaf extremists, a Moro rebel leader said Thursday.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Muhammad Ameen, head of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front secretariat, warned that Padilla's desire to personally negotiate for the release of Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipina Jean Lacaba could prove to be "too risky" for the actor, a convert to Islam.

Reports reaching the Philippine Daily Inquirer indicated that Padilla was planning to go to Sulu to help negotiate for the release of the victims. He was in Zamboanga on Wednesday and reportedly offered to help in the ICRC kidnapping case.

"The kidnappers have only one thing in mind and that is money," Ameen said.

He said Padilla's being a Muslim would not help because the kidnappers "don't discriminate whether you are their co-religionists or not, as long as you have the capacity to pay ransom."

"This is an unsolicited advice, but we are offering this as a sign of our concern to you and to protect the image of Islam," he added, addressing himself to Padilla.

Ameen also hit the Abu Sayyaf for destroying the image of Muslims in the Philippines.

In Basilan, where three humanitarian workers were kidnapped last year, a male midwife became the latest kidnap victim on Wednesday.

Nick de Castro, security officer of the Lamitan City government, said Elizar Gomera, 45, was asked to assist in the delivery of a baby in the village of Parangbasak on Wednesday morning but failed to return home.

At noon on Thursday one of the kidnappers called up the city health office to say Gomera "is in their hands,” De Castro said.

He did not say what the kidnappers wanted.

Another group of kidnappers is also holding three Zamboanga City teachers in Basilan.