MANILA, Philippines?Abducted Irish priest Michael Sinnott is being held captive by ?rogue elements? of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Defense Chief Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. said Wednesday.

Citing reports, Teodoro said the 78-year-old Catholic priest was in the custody of a sub-commander of the MILF?s 113th base command.

Sinnott was seized at gunpoint from his mission office in Pagadian City, in Zamboanga del Sur on October 11.

Teodoro said the military knew where the priest, who underwent heart surgery recently, was being kept.

But in a separate interview, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu slammed Teodoro for his ?baseless accusations.?

?[He] can?t make this baseless accusation,? he said. ?He should listen to his men on the ground because if he is going to ask his men on the ground, he might not be saying that kind of baseless accusation.?

Kabalu said the MILF, which is observing a ceasefire amid efforts to resume stalled peace talks, has actually offered to help track down the kidnappers.

Teodoro said the government welcomed the MILF?s offer to help, but said he has ?serious reservations? on the secessionist group?s proposal to deploy a "company-size" unit to pursue the gunmen.

?The MILF itself has been trying to exert efforts according to the negotiating panels to secure the release of the priest. However, it is a very ticklish question if we will allow them to operate in the area as an armed group. I will have serious reservations on that,? Teodoro said.