PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga Del Sur — The military's Western Mindanao Command has endorsed the rescue effort planned by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on kidnapped Irish priest Father Michael Sinnott, a source said Wednesday.

The source, who is involved in the Sinnott rescue efforts, said the MILF plan will be tackled by the Zamboanga Del Sur crisis management committee Wednesday.

The source, who requested anonymity for lack of authority to speak on the matter, said the endorsement was made by Major General Benjamin Dolorfino, Westmincom chief.

The MILF has said its forces had been sent near the lair of the kidnappers in Lanao Del Norte and were only awaiting further orders before launching the rescue effort.

Earlier, MILF chief Ebrahim Murad ordered his men to rescue Sinnot and to arrest the kidnappers, who allegedly included pirates.