MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang welcomed proposals for Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari and movie actor Robin Padilla to help negotiate for the release of a three-man International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) team in Sulu.

Presidential Peace Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. would evaluate Misuari's proposal for him to negotiate with the abductors, said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita Wednesday.

"I will not be surprised if Chairman Misuari would succeed," Ermita said, adding Sulu folk have high regard for Misuari, currently being tried but out of jail on bail for leading a failed rebellion against the government in 2001.

Padilla, a popular movie and TV action star who converted to Islam, is in Zamboanga City with MNLF members to negotiate for the release of the ICRC team, according to a newspaper report.

"I'm sure Robin will be very, very helpful. I hope he plunges into it," Ermita said.

Swiss national Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba were kidnapped while on a humanitarian mission in Sulu on January 15.