PAGADIAN CITY -- The long search for kidnapped Irish priest Michael Sinnott has developed a nascent word war between government’s national security officials and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The bickering stemmed from renewed accusations by defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro that the rebel group is behind the abduction of the ailing 79-year-old missionary who belonged to the Missionary Society of Saint Columban.

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Admitting that is has been "irked by the tongue-lashing" of Teodoro, the MILF's secretariat chief Muhammad Ameen told him to exercise prudence in his comments and stick to facts.

The rebel official's comments were cited in a post at the MILF's website, addressing Teodoro, Ameen said: “Act like a real presidentiable.”

During the past months, Teodoro had been drafted by the administration Lakas-Kampi party as its standard bearer in the upcoming 2010 general elections.

Ameen explained that even granting Sinnott was kidnapped by so-called ‘rogue elements’ of the rebel group, "this will not necessarily make it an act of the MILF.”

The word war belies expectations by the Zamboanga del Sur Crisis Management Committee (CMC) for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which Teodoro oversees, and the MILF to join efforts for the rescue Sinnott.

Apart from vehemently denying involvement in the abduction, the MILF also offered to rescue Sinnott from the hands of his kidnappers whom it said are currently holded up in a jungle lair between Sapad and Sultan Naga Dimaporo towns in Lanao del Norte, and Sultan Gumander town in Lanao del Sur.

"Sinnot cannot be rescued by mere lip-service,” Ameen said.

The kidnapping drama entered its 23rd day Tuesday.

Last Saturday, a 'proof of life' video was released by the kidnappers to authorities and several media outfits. Law enforcement agencies probing the abduction as well as on the trail for the kidnappers has refused until now to provide a conclusive pronouncement pinning responsibility to certain persons or groups.

The CMC also said it is still verifying information about the whereabouts of the ailing 79-year-old Sinnott.