/ stevenwarran's Library/ Notes/ October 14, 2009, GMA News, 12:36 PM, Abducted Irish priest not with us - MILF official, by Mark Meruenas,
October 14, 2009, GMA News, 12:36 PM, Abducted Irish priest not with us - MILF official, by Mark Meruenas,
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October 14, 2009, GMA News, 12:36 PM, Abducted Irish priest not with us - MILF official, by Mark Meruenas,
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Wednesday belied reports that one of its commanders is holding abducted Irish missionary Michael Sinnott.
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu told GMANews.TV that the police’s claim that Sinnott has been handed over to an MILF leader in Lanao del Norte was a "speculative report."
"This development is a product of speculation… We’re really surprised with the development. Napakabilis," Kabalu said.
The Western Mindanao Police was earlier quoted in reports as saying that the abductors of the 79-year-old Irish priest handed him over to a certain Commander Latip Jamat in Sultan Dimaporo town in Lanao del Norte.
As of posting time, GMANews.TV is trying to reach Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Ramon David Hontiveros for more details on the reported turn over.
Kabalu confirmed that Jamat is an MILF member heading a battalion of the rebel group’s 113th Base Command. Commander Aloy Al Ashree heads the entire 113th Base Command.
Kabalu said he has already sent word to the 113th Base Command to verify the information but he has yet to receive a response.
Rescue operations
Asked if the MILF leadership was willing to order Jamat to come out and prove he is not holding the Irish priest, Kabalu said: "For the sake of humanity, why not."
"Pero napakalabo talaga [na si Jamat ang may hawak] (It is highly improbable that Sinnott is being held by Jamat)," Kabalu said.
If the military already knows who is holding the priest and their whereabouts, Kabalu challenged government troops to launch rescue missions immediately.
"If they know who is holding [Father Sinnott] and they know to which command he belongs, why don’t they get them. Walang nagpe-prevent sa kanila from initiating rescue operations," Kabalu said.
The MILF spokesman maintained that the MILF has no hand in the kidnapping of Sinnott, who was seized Sunday night from his home at the Missionary Society of St. Columban compound in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
"We don’t have a history of our men being involved in kidnapping. We only assist the government in the early release of kidnapped individuals," Kabalu said.
Augmentation
For his part, Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military has increased its deployment in possible escape routes of Sinnot’s abductors.
"As of now, we are sending in troops to cordon areas. We have sent four Navy shops for blockade along possible escape routes," Brawner said in a phone interview with GMANews.TV.
He added that the military is only supplementing the efforts of the crisis management committee, which he said is “running the show"
Western Mindanao Command head Major General Benjamin Dolorfino was to hold a press conference later in the day to provide more information, Brawner said.
Irish envoy voices concern
In a related development, Sinnott’s superior told the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines that an Irish ambassador arrived in Manila on Tuesday to discuss the missionary’s abduction.
Missionary Society of St. Columban Regional Superior Patrick O’ Donaghue confirmed that Singapore-based Irish Ambassador Dick O’ Brien Irish voiced concern over Sinnott’s fate.
“Singapore-based Irish Ambassador Dick O’ Brien flew to Manila yesterday and met with the Columbans in Singalong, Manila and expressed his concern over the kidnapping," the CBCP quoted O’Donaghue as saying.
O’Donaghue said he was able to talk with Ambassador O’Brien on the phone and he expressed his congregation’s appreciation for the Irish government’s concern.
O’Donaghue added that Diocese of Pagadian led by fellow religious Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar, a Redemptorist Missionary, has been coordinating with government agencies on the matter. - with a report from Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu told GMANews.TV that the police’s claim that Sinnott has been handed over to an MILF leader in Lanao del Norte was a "speculative report."
"This development is a product of speculation… We’re really surprised with the development. Napakabilis," Kabalu said.
The Western Mindanao Police was earlier quoted in reports as saying that the abductors of the 79-year-old Irish priest handed him over to a certain Commander Latip Jamat in Sultan Dimaporo town in Lanao del Norte.
As of posting time, GMANews.TV is trying to reach Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Ramon David Hontiveros for more details on the reported turn over.
Kabalu confirmed that Jamat is an MILF member heading a battalion of the rebel group’s 113th Base Command. Commander Aloy Al Ashree heads the entire 113th Base Command.
Kabalu said he has already sent word to the 113th Base Command to verify the information but he has yet to receive a response.
Rescue operations
Asked if the MILF leadership was willing to order Jamat to come out and prove he is not holding the Irish priest, Kabalu said: "For the sake of humanity, why not."
"Pero napakalabo talaga [na si Jamat ang may hawak] (It is highly improbable that Sinnott is being held by Jamat)," Kabalu said.
If the military already knows who is holding the priest and their whereabouts, Kabalu challenged government troops to launch rescue missions immediately.
"If they know who is holding [Father Sinnott] and they know to which command he belongs, why don’t they get them. Walang nagpe-prevent sa kanila from initiating rescue operations," Kabalu said.
The MILF spokesman maintained that the MILF has no hand in the kidnapping of Sinnott, who was seized Sunday night from his home at the Missionary Society of St. Columban compound in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
"We don’t have a history of our men being involved in kidnapping. We only assist the government in the early release of kidnapped individuals," Kabalu said.
Augmentation
For his part, Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military has increased its deployment in possible escape routes of Sinnot’s abductors.
"As of now, we are sending in troops to cordon areas. We have sent four Navy shops for blockade along possible escape routes," Brawner said in a phone interview with GMANews.TV.
He added that the military is only supplementing the efforts of the crisis management committee, which he said is “running the show"
Western Mindanao Command head Major General Benjamin Dolorfino was to hold a press conference later in the day to provide more information, Brawner said.
Irish envoy voices concern
In a related development, Sinnott’s superior told the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines that an Irish ambassador arrived in Manila on Tuesday to discuss the missionary’s abduction.
Missionary Society of St. Columban Regional Superior Patrick O’ Donaghue confirmed that Singapore-based Irish Ambassador Dick O’ Brien Irish voiced concern over Sinnott’s fate.
“Singapore-based Irish Ambassador Dick O’ Brien flew to Manila yesterday and met with the Columbans in Singalong, Manila and expressed his concern over the kidnapping," the CBCP quoted O’Donaghue as saying.
O’Donaghue said he was able to talk with Ambassador O’Brien on the phone and he expressed his congregation’s appreciation for the Irish government’s concern.
O’Donaghue added that Diocese of Pagadian led by fellow religious Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar, a Redemptorist Missionary, has been coordinating with government agencies on the matter. - with a report from Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV
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