MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Sunday asked media not to give what it called “propaganda mileage” to the kidnappers of Irish missionary Fr. Michael Sinnott.

The Palace was reacting to the airing of the video showing the 79-year-old priest identifying his abductors and saying they were demanding $2 million in exchange for his freedom.

“We appeal to media not to give propaganda mileage to the terrorists holding Father Sinnott hostage for the good of the kidnapped priest and in order not to encourage similar barbaric acts,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a statement.

“We humbly appeal to our highly respected media professionals to adhere to established canons of journalism and media code of conduct in kidnap cases,” he said.

The government, he said, “will do everything within its power and in accordance with international standards to secure the safe release of hostages.”

GMA 7 network broadcast the video on Saturday while the Philippine Daily Inquirer published a photograph taken from the footage in its front page Sunday—the first proof that the priest remained alive since he was kidnapped on Oct. 11.

The Palace rejected the $2-million demand, saying the government was sticking “to the international policy of paying no ransom.”

“We will do everything to ensure his safe release,” Remonde said. “Our security forces, in coordination with local crisis management committee, (are) in charge of the situation.”

He noted that the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front was assisting the government in the effort.