KIDNAPPERS holding captive an Irish priest have opened fire at government security forces while they are repositioning, as "containment operations" continue to prevent the transfer of the hostage to another place.

Major General Benjamin Mohammad Dolorfino, Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief, said the incident took place Sunday when rotation of troops was effected.

"The Manny Pacquiao Blog". Click here for stories and updates on the Filipino boxing champ.

"May nagpaputok three times pero hindi sinagot ng tropa (They fired three times but the troops did not fire back)," Dolorfino said.

Dolorfino, however, declined to reveal where the incident took place except in saying that in an area where containment operations are in place.

The containment operations are aimed to contain the kidnappers and the kidnapped priest in one place while efforts continue to peacefully recover him.

Dolorfino did not also say whether Fr. Michael Sinnot was sighted or not by the troops cordoning the area.

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

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretay Ronaldo Puno earlier emphasized that there will be no attempt to rescue Sinnott unless the safety of the hostage is at stake.

"If there were a need to engage in rescue attempt, I believe that the combine forces of AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police) can do that," Puno said.

The PNP has implicated six leaders and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) although no one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of Sinnott.

The MILF hierarchy denied that some of its field commanders and members are involved in Sinnott's abduction.