Police in the Philippines say they've launched a search after gunmen reportedly abducted an American national who was shot in the leg as he tried to resist.

Four armed men shot and abducted a 26-year-old from Vermont in western Mindanao, the police said. He had been living in the area since May.

An American man documenting his life in the Philippines was shot in the leg and abducted by a group of gunman dressed up as police officers, according to local authorities.