ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines?(UPDATE) The kidnappers of Irish priest Father Michael Sinnott had made their first call to the Columban fathers in Pagadian City on Thursday, through an emissary, Major General Ben Dolorfino, Western Mindanao Command chief, said.

Dolorfino said the call was monitored by Task Force Sinnott?an inter-agency body tasked to secure the priest's release?but he did not say how they were able to do so.

He also declined to elaborate on the details of the call, saying he was not authorized to do so.

"I cannot disclose it but the call indicated that Sinnott is in Lanao del Norte, very close to Sultan Naga Dimaporo. The call was traced to that province and the trace was made by Task Force Sinnott," he said.

Dolorfino said the kidnapped Irish priest did not talk with his colleagues during the call.

He said the contact might have been established when the kidnappers got hold of one of the flyers distributed by authorities, which contained numbers to be contacted for any information that could help in efforts to deliver medicine to Sinnott.

Sinnott suffers from a heart ailment and needs his daily dose of medicine.

Dolorfino said the military validated the call through "inside sources" belonging to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's 4th Infantry Brigade led by Commander Jamat Latip.

The military, he said, trusted the sources.

He said aside from validating the call, his sources had told him that Sinnott has become very weak.

"His health condition is poor and that is the reason why the kidnappers are having a hard time transferring the captive to another place," Dolorfino said.

He said aside from Sinnott's condition, the kidnappers also could not move "because of the heavy presence of ground troops on the highways and different routes, including the shorelines."

Dolorfino said based on information given to him, the kidnappers wanted to bring the priest to Cotabato City but "their ultimate plan of destination is Basilan."

Chief Superintendent Angelo Sunglao, Western Mindanao police chief, said Latip had denied involvement in Sinnot's kidnapping and that the MILF leader was so incensed he vowed to kill the kidnappers.

He said the denial was made by the rebel leader to Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Barrientos, deputy brigade commander of the Army's 104th Infantry Brigade, during a phone call.

"Latip is angry for being blamed for the abduction. He denied the presence of the victim in his camp and he would even want to kill the ones responsible for the kidnapping," Sunglao said.

He said Latip was also worried about the presence of military troops near his camp "but felt relieved upon learning that we are observing the operational guidelines on the cessation of hostilities."

"He is willing to submit himself and his command for inspection and expressed willingness to cooperate with the authorities for the safe recovery or rescue of Father Sinnott," Sunglao said.

Dolorfino said authorities were hoping that Latip was telling the truth.

"If he wants to come out clean then he should cooperate with us," Dolorfino said when told of Latip's denial.

He said the military was standing pat on its claim that Sinnott was being held inside MILF's Camp Wilcom on the boundaries of Picong, Nunungan and Sultan Naga Dimaporo towns.

"If he is really sincere, he has to help us and secure Sinnott and turn him over to the authorities," Dolorfino said.

Meanwhile, Task Force Sinnott came out with artist sketches of three of the six suspects in Sinnot's abduction.

Dolorfino said of the six suspects, four had been positively identified.

"But we cannot divulge their names. The only thing I can share now is that two of them are MILF rebels based in Lanao del Sur," he said.

As this developed, Zamboanga del Sur officials said they were becoming increasingly worried about Sinnott's condition.

"Everyone here is really worried, concerned and very anxious over the safety of Father Sinnott," Allan Molde, provincial information officer, said.

The Columban fathers, according to Molde, are also extremely apprehensive of Sinnott's frail condition.

"Since the day he was abducted, until now, he failed to take his daily medicines," he said.

On Thursday, Zamboanga del Sur Governor Aurora Cerilles went on air and appealed to the kidnappers to allow emissaries to bring in Sinnott's medicine.

"I am appealing to the kidnappers to allow us to send him medicines because he needs it badly. Father Sinnott is a man of peace and he has been serving the people. With his age, at 79, he lacks physical strength to confront his difficult condition now," Cerilles said.

Pagadian Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar also appealed to the kidnappers to free the Irish priest and allow him to return to his work, which has been helping children with disabilities.

"Here in Pagadian, he helped children a lot, especially those who need special attention. Please allow him to continue doing that," Cabajar said.

With reports from Ed General, Inquirer Mindanao