LOCAL Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno remains firm on his statement that a faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has a hand in the kidnapping of Fr. Michael Sinnott.

Puno in an interview after a closed-door meeting with police officials in Zamboanga City Thursday afternoon told reporters that the MILF should show proof to belie his statement.

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Sinnott, 79, was kidnapped in the evening of October 11 by six gunmen from the compound of the Mission Society of Saint Columban (MSSC) in Gatas district in Pagadian City, the capital of Zamboanga del Sur.

Puno on Tuesday said the leader of Sinnott's kidnappers is Alsree Aloy, the commander of the MILF 113rd Based Command.

He even challenged the MILF to disprove his claim about the involvement of Aloy.

"Patunayan nila na hindi totoo yong sinasabi ko. I am willing to eat my words kung talagang mali ako," Puno said.

The DILG chief said he is willing show evidence to the government peace negotiating panel to prove his claim if the MILF wanted to do so.

Puno said he don't have the intention to sabotage the peace process citing "it is this kidnapping that sabotages the peace process and not anything that anybody says."

He said he will leave the matter of peace discussions with the MILF to the government peace panel.

Puno met with key police and military officials upon his arrival Thursday afternoon in Zamboanga City.

He disclosed they review all of the agreement "that is in force with the MILF with respect to the possible problems that we will be facing with the kidnapping situation."

"It is being assessed now and we will meet again tomorrow (Friday) morning. There will be a lot of homework this evening to make sure that any actions taken by the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police) will be consistent with agreement that are now in the peace process," he added.

However, he clarified there would be no rescue operations to recover Sinnott unless it will become absolutely necessary especially if the hostage health or "his physical safety are imperiled." (Bong Garcia)