PRESS Undersecretary Anthony Golez said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) may file protest charges against Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno if they felt offended by his allegation.

The said allegation noted that a member of the Moro group maybe involved in the kidnapping of Irish priest Michael Sinnott.

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Golez said it is understandable that the MILF would take offense and it would be better if they just raise their concerns at the peace negotiation level.

The MILF complained against Puno, alleging that he was making irresponsible statements when he tagged some members of the MILF as the kidnappers of Sinnot who was abducted in Pagadian City last October 11.

Puno directly implicated the commander of MILF's 113th base Aloy Al Ashree as behind the kidnapping of Sinnott.

He said authorities will no longer accept the MILF offer to help rescue Sinnott, adding that those responsible should be held accountable.

"First and foremost they have the right to say that, of course there was an allegation sila ang tinamaan and on their part they can file a protest. The important thing they should bring that up on the level of peace negotiation so that it will be resolved," Golez said.

For her part, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said Puno's statement was based on the intelligence reports from the military and the police and it is up to the MILF to prove that it was wrong.

Fajardo added that any valid concerns of the MILF could be answered by Puno.

She however stressed that the priority at the moment is to secure the safe and immediate release of Sinnott without scuttling the peace negotiations between the government and the MILF.

According to her, while the government would not allow the peace negotiations to be compromised, they are urging them to prove that they are not involved in the kidnapping by answering the charges of Puno.

"The priority of the government is the safe release for Father Sinnott and all efforts that were doing right now is towards his immediate and safe release. Now the Opapp (Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process) is working to ensure that the peace process, the ongoing is process will not be compromised," Fajardo said.

Competence of authorities

The government meanwhile is confident with the competence of the authorities and the local crisis management committee in securing the safe release of kidnapped Irish missionary.

Fajardo said that since police and military were tasked to lead the recovery of Sinnott, they "would like to believe" that the joint group alongside local crisis management committee could together successfully rescue the ailing priest.

"We would like to believe so. We are confident with the competence of our local crisis management committee together with our PNP (Philippine National Police) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines)," Fajardo said.

She said the police and the military team should be the one to lead the recovery of Sinnott. "Let us give the respect to them because they were the team assigned to lead the rescue of Fr. Sinnott."

Amid the word-war between MILF and Puno, Fajardo said the government is not shunning aid in rescuing Sinnott but that they would also do not want to compromise the operations of the authorities.

"We recognize and appreciate the offer of help for the release of Sinnott and at the same time we all know that there is an ongoing peace talk and negotiation. This is simultaneously being done," she said.

She said decision regarding any help to recover Sinnott should be deferred to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (Opapp) headed by Annabelle Abaya.

"They are the ones who know what is the best strategy... that is best to be done... They know the psychology of the people there we will respect their decision and recommendation."

For her part, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Annabelle Abaya urged authorities to be more cautious in the handling of the kidnapping situation lest it jeopardize the peace negotiations with the MILF.

Abaya said securing the safe and immediate release of Sinnott is the most important thing at present and finger pointing as to who are the kidnappers is not helping and should even be done later.

She expects the negotiations would resume next month after the government and the MILF signed an agreement ensuring the safety of civilians in armed conflict areas in southern Philippines.

Earlier, both the government and the MILF, declared suspension of military operations (Somo) and suspension of military actions (Soma) respectively, as part of their peace-building and goodwill measures.

Peaceful rescue

Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said the government should not use force in their attempt to rescue kidnapped priest Michael Sinnott.

"It should be done in a peaceful way. There should be talks so as to avoid violence from anyone," said the CBCP leader over Radio Veritas Thursday.

The Jaro, Iloilo prelate also expressed opposition on the idea of paying ransom for the release of the Irish missionary.

"His congregation is not rich. They are even helping us. It's not right to give ransom," said Lagdameo.

At the same time, he asked the people to be one and continue to pray for the immediate and safe release of Sinnott.

Meanwhile, CBCP Public Affairs Committee Chairman Deogracias Iñiguez expressed fears that the tension between the government and the MILF over the kidnapping issue as it might affect the impending revival of the peace negotiations.

"I'm sure it will have an effect on the peace negotiations in Mindanao... We just don't know how and how much," said the Caloocan prelate.

He also advised the government to be very wary in issuing statement as it might worsen the gap and might affect the peace talks.

Iñiguez however remains hopeful that the heads of the two peace panels will still be able to control the situation.

The government and MILF panels are in the process of working for the resumption of peace talks and are just waiting for the Malaysian facilitators' go-signal. (Jill Beltran/JMR/FP/With MSN/Sunnex)