October 13, 2009, GMA News, 7:28 PM, Wanted MILF leader offers help to locate abducted Irish priest,

October 13, 2009, GMA News, 7:28 PM, Wanted MILF leader offers help to locate abducted Irish priest,

A Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) field commander on Tuesday denied any participation in the abduction of a Columban missionary in Pagadian City last Sunday night.

Abdurahman Macapaar alias Kumander Bravo, who is among the three MILF leaders wanted by the government for leading the attack on civilian communities in Central Mindanao last year, even offered to help look for Irish priest Fr. Michael Sinnott.

The 79-year-old Sinnott was abducted at about 7:30 p.m. from his home at the Missionary Society of St. Columban compound in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur last Sunday.

“We do not have anything to do with the kidnapping of the priest, we are ready to help look for ways that the priests be released soonest," Bravo said in an article on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines news site.

Earlier, MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said the MILF is watching closely the developments in Sinnott's abduction. He branded the kidnapping as a "cowardly act."

Sinnott, who will turn 80 on December 19, has been in the Philippines since 1976. He has served in a variety of pastoral and administrative roles. He has been spotted three times after his abduction, according to the military.

The government is already coordinating with the joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) in Mindanao to facilitate the immediate and safe rescue of Sinnott.

“We told our CCCH under direction of our negotiating panel with the MILF to touch base with their counterparts because it’s very important that all hands should be on board to lead the safe recovery of Father Sinot," said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita on Tuesday.

The CCCH is monitoring the implementation of ceasefire between the government and the MILF in preparation for the resumption of the peace negotiations.

Meanwhile, a newly formed task force tracking down Sinnott has given local residents in Mindanao its hotlines for leads on his and his abductors' whereabouts.

Task Force Sinnott spokesman Allan Molde admitted they need the public's help in tracking down the missionary, who armed men abducted Sunday night in Pagadian City.

“As of now we don’t have contacts from Fr. Sinnott’s abductors." Molde said in an interview on Catholic-run dxDD radio in Mindanao. Excerpts of the interview were posted Tuesday evening on the CBCP site.

He said anyone with leads could contact the task force at 0916-619-0343; 0917-972-2194; 0928-521-4003 and 0917-324-9103. - GMANews.TV