MANILA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- A government peace negotiator on Thursday expressed confidence that the kidnapping of an Irish priest by alleged rogue elements of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will not derail the improving peace process with the rebel group.

    "The kidnapping of Fr. Michael Sinnott is not related to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines-MILF peace talks. This could be the work of misguided scalawags," said Philippine negotiator Rafael Seguis.

    Philippine military said Sinnott, who was abducted in his home in Pagadian City on Oct. 11, is being held by an alleged breakaway faction of the MILF.

    "The MILF leadership has already denounced this dastardly act. I have faith and confidence in the MILF leadership's resolve to help the government in freeing Fr. Sinnott from his abductors whether their offer of assistance is accepted or not," Seguis said.

    With confidence-building measures in place and stumbling blocks removed, the Philippine government and the MILF announced that they are ready to hold formal peace negotiations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia anytime.

    Seguis said the resumption of formal peace talks with the MILF is "inching closer" after the signing of the agreement on protection of civilians in armed conflict areas in Southern Philippines -- the last among the three confidence building measures identified by the government and the MILF before both sides could return to the negotiating table.

    Seguis, also the concurrent Philippine undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, said "the next round of talks is the reopening of formal peace negotiations."

    The MILF, which the Philippine military says has 11,000 fighters, is the largest group battling for self-rule in Mindanao. A final peace agreement is expected to end more than four decades of Muslim rebellion in Southern Philippines.