PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines—The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is now "zeroing-in on the location and identities" of the people currently holding 79-year-old Irish priest Michael Sinnott of the Missionary Society of St. Columban who was seized from a convent in Pagadian City on October 11.

Eid Kabalu, MILF civil-military affairs chief, said that the central command is expecting "these two vital pieces of information to be already available" within 24 hours.

On October 17, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the rebel group's armed wing, had ordered its troops to help in the search for Sinnott following a formal request from the government coursed through the Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (JCCCH) where both parties are represented.

Kabalu explained that the MILF's search efforts are now narrowed down to the coastal areas of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces.

Based on the latest information about the rebel group's own search operation, Kabalu ruled out earlier claims the kidnappers had fled the region with Sinnott in tow.

"They are still there," he said.

Earlier, the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) of the Zamboanga del Sur provincial government, which is overseeing search and rescue operations, had identified the coasts of Sultan Naga Dimaporo town in Lanao del Norte and the Baganian Peninsula in Zamboanga del Sur as the most likely places where Sinnott is being kept.

Police Director Felizardo Serapio, western Mindanao chief of the directorate for integrated police operations, said this assessment is based on the "preponderance of information" so far gathered in relation to the incident.

Major General Romeo Lustestica, commanding general of the Army's 1st Infantry Division which is complementing police efforts, told reporters that as things currently stand, another priority in the law enforcement operation is "preventing the possible escape of the abductors towards Basilan or Sulu."

This is generally undertaken by intensified sea-borne patrols in the three areas, Lustestica said.

Complementing this is the authorities' enlistment of the support of fisherfolk and fishery law enforcement teams in monitoring movements in the sea and coastal villages, said Zamboanga del Sur Governor Aurora Cerilles who chairs the CMC.

Although Kabalu emphasized that the MILF's involvement is only up to determining the whereabouts of Sinnott and identities of the kidnappers, he said they would cordon off the area to ensure that the kidnappers would not be able to relocate.

"But we would be quick to coordinate with Philippine authorities by then because we are not here to take the lead," he pointed out.

"After we shall have assisted the authorities on whereabouts and identities (of kidnappers), they should be the ones deciding on the ways forward. But we remain ready to assist further," Kabalu added.

Lustestica had said they are bent on "exhausting peaceful means to be able to go through this situation."

"Military action will be a last resort, and in case it is needed, it will be determined by the CMC," he added.

"The safety of Fr. Sinnott will be a paramount concern in any decision on what to do next," said Serapio.