School officials, teachers and students from different public schools in Zamboanga City offered prayers on Wednesday for the safe and immediate release of three kidnapped teachers.

Teachers Janet de los Reyes, Raphael Mayonado and Freires Quizon have been held captive by bandits for 20 days now reportedly in the hills of Basilan province.

Abelardo Brutas Jr. of Teachers Organization of the Philippine Public Sector (TOPPS) said they believe however in the power of prayers.

"No matter how evil a person is, we believe he still has an inch of conscience in his heart," Brutas said.

Brutas is optimistic that through prayers, the kidnappers will realize that "they are not only holding the three teachers captive, but they are also holding hostage the children's future."

The teachers also expressed confidence that the authorities in Zamboanga City are doing their best to recover the kidnap victims. "The rescue of Eliseo Hablo yesterday gave us hope," Brutas said.

Bakery franchise holder Eliseo Hablo Jr was rescued by police operatives from a boarding house where he was kept by his abductors.

After the lighting of candles, participants in the prayer rally released three doves which they said symbolize the expected release of the three abducted teachers.

US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, meanwhile, expressed sadness over the kidnapping of the three public school teachers.

"It is sad to know that even they were victimized by these lawless elements," Kenney said.

The US official was in Zamboanga City Wednesday to inspect various US-funded projects, including a training sponsored by the Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills (EQUALLS2) for teachers from Zamboanga and Isabela Cities.