The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Friday belied claims that it has in custody ailing Irish priest Michael Sinnott, who was abducted by unidentified armed men in Pagadian City on Sunday.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu dismissed as “speculation” some reports that the abductors who contacted Sinnott’s Catholic mission were traced to an area in Lanao del Norte where the MILF is reportedly active.

“No, no, no, that is pure speculation. The town of Naga Dimaporo is the focus of attention as the area where Sinnott is supposedly being held. And now they are saying we have a commander there,” Kabalu said in an interview on dzXL radio.

He said the MILF already committed to “extend whatever assistance” to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the safe recovery of Sinnott.

On Sunday, unidentified armed men abducted Sinnott, 78, at his home at the Missionary Society of Saint Columban in Pagadian City.

Muslim and Christian residents of the town condemned the violence done to a man of God.

Catholic Church officials appealed to the abductors for his early release, noting he just had a quadruple heart bypass.

The Mindanao-based Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society Organizations (CBCSO) urged the kidnappers the other day to immediately release Sinnott unharmed and unconditionally.

In the MILF Web site, www.luwaran.com, Muhammad Ameen, chairman of the MILF Central Committee’s Secretariat, said the Moro rebel group is helping in the effort to secure the Catholic clergyman’s release.