MANILA -- The government is confident with the competence of the authorities and the local crisis management committee in securing the safe release of kidnapped Irish priest Michael Sinnott.

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo on Thursday said 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.”

Fajardo meanwhile said the government is not shunning aid in rescuing Sinnott but 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 the local management committee is focused on doing what has to be done in trying to rescue Sinnott. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)