PAGADIAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR—The secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is now “zeroing in on the location and identities” of the kidnappers holding Irish missionary priest Michael Sinnott who was abducted from his residence on Oct. 11.

Eid Kabalu, the MILF spokesperson, said the rebel group is expecting “these two vital pieces of information to be available” within 24 hours.

On Oct. 17, the MILF ordered its troops to help in the search for Sinnott after the government made a formal request through the joint coordinating committee on the cessation of hostilities (JCCCH).

Kabalu said the MILF has narrowed its search to the coastal areas of the Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces.

He dismissed earlier reports that the kidnappers had fled the region with their victim.

“They are still there,” he said.

Earlier, the crisis management committee of the Zamboanga del Sur provincial government, which is overseeing the search and rescue operations, 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.

Maj. Gen. Romeo Lustestica, commanding general of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division which is helping the police in the search, said a priority of the operation is to prevent the kidnappers from escaping to Basilan or Sulu with their victim.

He said troops have intensified seaborne patrols in the three areas where Sinott is likely being held.

Authorities have also enlisted the support of fisherfolk and fishery law enforcement teams in monitoring movements in the sea and coastal villages, said Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Aurora Cerilles.

Although the MILF’s involvement is limited to determining the whereabouts of Sinnott and the identities of the kidnappers, Kabalu said the rebels would ensure that the kidnappers would not be able to escape.

“We are not here to take the lead,” he said, adding that government authorities should be the ones to make the decision on what to do next.

“The safety of Father Sinnott will be a paramount concern in any decision on what to do next,” said Director Felizardo Serapio, police chief of Western Mindanao. Ryan D. Rosauro and Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao