Fr Michael Sinnott, an Irish priest who was kidnapped in the Philippines, is reported to have been seen alive in an area where Islamist militants are known to operate.
Authorities said the 79-year-old priest and his heavily armed captors were seen yesterday on the coast of Moro Gulf on the southern island of Mindanao.
Regional military chief Major-General Ben Dolorfino said they were seen in Lanao del Sur but did not give specific details so as not to jeopardise ongoing military operations.
He declined to elaborate when asked why troops were not immediately sent in to rescue Fr Sinnott, who was seized by six armed men on Sunday from his home at the Missionary Society of Saint Columban compound in Pagadian City.
Fr Sinnott's abduction is the latest kidnapping for ransom targeting foreign missionaries and tourists in the southern part of the Philippines.
Military reports indicate the priest, who is originally from Wexford, is alive.
Colleagues are concerned over Fr Sinnott's health as he had a quadruple heart bypass several years ago.
Authorities have said the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf or the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front are suspects. Both groups, as well as other unnamed Muslim armed factions, are known to operate in parts of Lanao.
However, the 12,000-strong MILF has denied it was behind the attack, and said it is willing to help troops track down the kidnappers and recover the priest.
Fr Sinnott's superior, Patrick O'Donoghue, said the church has not received calls from any group claiming responsibility for the abduction, but he was quick to rule out paying a ransom.
‘We won't give any ransom,’ Fr O'Donoghue said, citing church policy.
He said Fr Sinnott's health was fragile, and he could die if he failed to take his daily medicine.
He appealed to the kidnappers saying: ‘Whatever your motives are, please recognise the age and health condition of Fr Sinnott and his love for the needy children with disabilities'.
Fr O'Donoghue has met the head of the negotiating team trying to secure the Fr Sinnott's release.
Fr Sinnott has spent about 40 years in the Philippines, first arriving in Mindanao in 1957 as a young missionary, serving for nine years before being posted abroad. He went back in 1976 and never left.
Fondly called Fr Mick by his flock, he is described by his colleagues as a compassionate defender of victims of injustice and as a benefactor to the poor, especially children with disabilities.
The Conference of Religious of Ireland has said it is puzzled why any group would want to hold Fr Sinnott captive.
CORI Director General Sister Marianne O'Connor said he was elderly, not in good health and had given his life to helping others.
She said CORI's members were keeping Fr Michael and his family in their thoughts and prayers.
Richard O'Brien, Ireland's ambassador to Singapore, is scheduled to meet a representative of the Philippines Defence Ministry and he hopes to arrange a subsequent meeting with the Foreign Ministry.
The Bishop of the diocese in which Fr Michael Sinnott was abducted has appealed to the good sense of the kidnappers to respect the missionary and provide him with all his needs, especially his medical ones.
Bishop Manny Cabajar of Pagadian told the Columban Fathers that he attended a crisis meeting of provincial, government and police personnel and was briefed on their efforts to find and free Fr Sinnott.
He added that yesterday's arrival in the Philippines capital of Mr O'Brien was a very important gesture on behalf of the Irish Government.
