MANILA -- The government welcomed Monday the internal investigation being conducted by a Moro rebel group among its ranks to identify those involved in the kidnapping of an ailing Irish priest in Mindanao.

Press Undersecretary Anthony Golez said the latest action of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) "is a welcome addition to show good faith and loyalty to the cause of peace" in the ongoing peace talks between the government and Moro rebels.

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"If the MILF is offering its sincerest support or action towards the solution to this crisis, then it will be welcomed. Nevertheless, our police authorities supported by the military will still be relentless in trying to pursue these perpetrators," Golez said.

MILF vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar earlier said that they are willing to conduct internal investigation to resolve the case of Fr. Michael Sinnott, 79, a member of the Missionary Society of Saint Columban (MSSC).

The decision came after allegations that some members of the Moro rebel group are involved in the kidnapping of the Irish priest in Pagadian City last October 11. The MILF, however, repeatedly denied any involvement in the abduction.

Golez said the government will await the results of the MILF probe but it will continue with its own investigation to identify the culprits behind the priest's kidnapping.

He said the Provincial Crisis Management Committee headed by Zamboanga del Sur Governor Aurora Cerilles is "exhausting all efforts or possible means to recover Fr. Sinnott."

Golez reiterated that the government stood firm on its no ransom policy, adding that the authorities are now using the video, released by the abductors of Sinnott last Saturday, to gain important information as to the identity of the kidnappers and their exact location.

"Nevertheless, if the go signal coming from the Crisis Management Committee would be given to the PNP (Philippine National Police) or to the military for a possible rescue operation, the authorities are going to be ready for that," he said.

Peaceful means

The PNP is exhausting all peaceful means of securing the safe and unconditional release of Sinnott.

National Police chief Jesus Verzosa has instructed Police Director Felizardo Serapio Jr., director for Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao, to coordinate closely with the Crisis Management Committee to work out an action plan for the release of Sinnott, in coordination with all concerned government agencies and organizations involved in efforts for the release of the hostage.

Serapio said the conduct of investigation and negotiation is a police function and as such, intelligence and operational inputs by other agencies should be coursed to the PNP through the Crisis Management Committee.

He shared Cerilles's optimism that the crisis will be resolved and Fr. Sinnott will be released in due time.

However, he appealed to the public, especially members of the media, to refrain from entertaining speculations and unverified information that can jeopardize efforts of the Crisis Management Committee to secure the release of the kidnapped priest.

"In any hostage situation, the paramount concern is always the safety of the victim," Serapio said.

Earlier, the Crisis Management Committee asked the public not to publish or broadcast images or statements from the victim or his kidnappers, and "if possible, to please seek the advice of authorities before publication of these materials to ensure the safety of the hostage."

Entering negotiation

The Diocese of Pagadian, meanwhile, remains confident of entering a negotiation with the kidnappers of Sinnott after rejecting the US$2 million ransom demanded by the abductors in exchange for the priest's freedom.

"We don't know when the negotiations will start and how are we going to communicate to the group holding Fr. Sinnott. The situation is torturing us, emotions here are very high," said Fr. Gilbert Hingone, spokesman of the Diocese of Pagadian.

Hingone also said that they are very worried about the hostage's health condition that they are looking for ways on how to communicate with his captors.

"We are trying our best to communicate with the kidnappers. We are really worried about Fr. Mick's health. We'll be very happy if we can at least send him medicines," he said.

Hingone is hoping that negotiations for Sinnott's release will start within the next 24 hours. "Maybe in the next 24-hours, there will be a ray of hope and the negotiations will start."

Fr. Pat O' Donoghue, regional director of the MSSC, is hoping the kidnappers of Sinnott will release the Irish priest without any conditions.

"For God's sake, for Fr. Sinnott's sake and for the sake of all those who love them, allow him to be freed without any condition," he said.

Last Sunday, the Columban superior rejected the $2 million ransom being asked by the kidnappers, saying their congregation "does not pay ransom."

The 79-year-old Sinnott was snatched by more or less six armed men from his residence at the MSSC in Pagadian City last October 11 while strolling inside the missionary compound. He was last sighted three days after in the general areas of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte provinces.

The military initially tagged a group of local pirates as responsible for the priest's abduction, but subsequent reports showed Sinnott was turned over to a group of rogue elements of the secessionist MILF. (Jill Beltran/VR/MSN/Sunnex)