/ stevenwarran's Library/ Notes/ October 13, 2009, GMA News, 5:27 PM, Abducted Irish priest spotted three times - AFP, by Aie B. See and Mark Ubalde,
October 13, 2009, GMA News, 5:27 PM, Abducted Irish priest spotted three times - AFP, by Aie B. See and Mark Ubalde,
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October 13, 2009, GMA News, 5:27 PM, Abducted Irish priest spotted three times - AFP, by Aie B. See and Mark Ubalde,
The Philippine military on Tuesday bared at least three sightings of abducted Irish priest Michael Sinnott – the first proof of life since the 79-year-old missionary was abducted last Sunday in southern Philippines.
Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, chief of the military’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said government troops and police forces are now cordoning off the area where the victim and his abductors were spotted.
"Kahapon hanggang ngayon may tatlong reported sightings tayo. Hindi pa namin i-disclose yung place but the effort of the Armed Forces of the Philippines saka the Philippine National Police is to contain them in that particular area," he said.
(Since Monday we’ve had three sightings of Sinnott, but we will not reveal the area so as not to jeopardize our operations. Our mission now is to contain them in one particular area.)
He said the operation involves checkpoints and at least four Navy vessels to limit the movement of the kidnappers.
“We have four Philippine Navy watercrafts cordoning from the sea. On the ground, the AFP have put checkpoints," Dolorfino said.
Sinnott was abducted at about 7:30 p.m. from his home at the Missionary Society of St. Columban compound in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
The PNP on Monday formed Task Force Sinnott upon orders from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Malacañang wants Sinnott released immediately as he was reportedly suffering from a heart condition. He reportedly underwent a heart bypass operation recently.
Dolorfino also said the military is strengthening its intelligence capability to identify the "key personalities" behind the abduction.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said it is “highly probable" that the Abu Sayyaf and the Special Operations Group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF-SOG) were responsible for the abduction.
“It’s highly probable [that it’s] Abu Sayyaf or MILF-SOG… [the] same groups have undertaken similar kidnap activities," he said.
Ermita, however, said the government is still in the middle of its investigation on the incident. He said the investigation includes determining whether or not Sinnott was abducted for ransom purposes.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), for its part, appealed to the abductors of Sinnott to release him safely, noting his health condition.
“[We join] the friends of Fr. Sinnott and other sectors of society in appealing to the abductors for his safe and immediate release given his advance age and health condition," the DFA said.
DFA spokesperson Ed Malaya refused to comment on the effect of this recent kidnapping to the already tarnished security image of the country.
In June 2007, Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi was snatched by some 10 armed men in Payao town in Zamboanga Sibugay, after he officiated mass at his parish church there. He was released on the eve his 40th day in captivity in Karumatan, Lanao del Norte. Suspected rogue members of the MILF were said to be behind the kidnapping. - with Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV
Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, chief of the military’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said government troops and police forces are now cordoning off the area where the victim and his abductors were spotted.
"Kahapon hanggang ngayon may tatlong reported sightings tayo. Hindi pa namin i-disclose yung place but the effort of the Armed Forces of the Philippines saka the Philippine National Police is to contain them in that particular area," he said.
(Since Monday we’ve had three sightings of Sinnott, but we will not reveal the area so as not to jeopardize our operations. Our mission now is to contain them in one particular area.)
He said the operation involves checkpoints and at least four Navy vessels to limit the movement of the kidnappers.
“We have four Philippine Navy watercrafts cordoning from the sea. On the ground, the AFP have put checkpoints," Dolorfino said.
Sinnott was abducted at about 7:30 p.m. from his home at the Missionary Society of St. Columban compound in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
The PNP on Monday formed Task Force Sinnott upon orders from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Malacañang wants Sinnott released immediately as he was reportedly suffering from a heart condition. He reportedly underwent a heart bypass operation recently.
Dolorfino also said the military is strengthening its intelligence capability to identify the "key personalities" behind the abduction.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said it is “highly probable" that the Abu Sayyaf and the Special Operations Group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF-SOG) were responsible for the abduction.
“It’s highly probable [that it’s] Abu Sayyaf or MILF-SOG… [the] same groups have undertaken similar kidnap activities," he said.
Ermita, however, said the government is still in the middle of its investigation on the incident. He said the investigation includes determining whether or not Sinnott was abducted for ransom purposes.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), for its part, appealed to the abductors of Sinnott to release him safely, noting his health condition.
“[We join] the friends of Fr. Sinnott and other sectors of society in appealing to the abductors for his safe and immediate release given his advance age and health condition," the DFA said.
DFA spokesperson Ed Malaya refused to comment on the effect of this recent kidnapping to the already tarnished security image of the country.
In June 2007, Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi was snatched by some 10 armed men in Payao town in Zamboanga Sibugay, after he officiated mass at his parish church there. He was released on the eve his 40th day in captivity in Karumatan, Lanao del Norte. Suspected rogue members of the MILF were said to be behind the kidnapping. - with Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV
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