A TOP military official belied claims Thursday of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that it is helping in the rescue of the Irish priest kidnapped almost a month ago in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

Major General Benjamin Mohammad Dolorfino, Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief, said the MILF forces that comprises of the task force members are still at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat.

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The MILF announced this week that it has formed a company-size task force to help locate and if possible rescue Fr. Michael Sinnott from the hands of the kidnappers.

The MILF even threatened to withdraw "after the end of this week" its forces if the government will not make corrections on the statement of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) implicating an MILF leader in the kidnapping of Sinnott.

Six gunmen seized Sinnott, 79, a member of the Mission Society of Saint Columban (MSSC), on the evening of October 11 from the MSSC compound in Gatas District, Pagadian City.

"There is no actual involvement yet as far as the MILF task force is concern. They are still at Camp Darapanan awaiting a go signal from the government," Dolorfino said.

"We really don't know if there are other personalities of MILF in the area," Dolorfino added.

Dolorfino said his command maintains troops in the area where the kidnappers are possibly holding captive Sinnott.

He said the Wesmincom have also deployed watercraft along the coastal areas of the kidnappers's hideout.

Dolorfino refused to reveal the location of the kidnappers' hideout so as not to jeopardize the "containment" efforts of the troops to prevent the kidnappers from transferring the hostages to another place.

The kidnappers led by a certain Abu Jandal are demanding $2 million in ransom in exchange for Sinnott's release.

However, Dolorfino said Abu Jandal is just a pseudo name to hide the true identity of the kidnappers' leader. (Bong Garcia)