October 17, 2009, GMA News, 5:50 PM, Zambo del Sur gov't distributes flyers to help find abducted Irish priest,

October 17, 2009, GMA News, 5:50 PM, Zambo del Sur gov't distributes flyers to help find abducted Irish priest,
In an attempt to make contact with the abductors of 79-year-old Irish priest Michael Sinnott, the provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur on Saturday distributed 10,000 flyers in the area with an appeal to provide information on the whereabouts of the kidnapped clergyman.

The flyers were distributed to establish contact with the kidnappers to be able to immediately transport medicine to the ailing Sinnott, who has recently undergone a heart bypass operation.

“We hope that through this ay makapag-establish na rin kami ng contact para mapakiusapan sana na magdala ng mga gamot kay Fr. Sinnott (We hope that through this, we could establish contact with the abductors and to bring medicines to Fr. Sinnott)," said Zamboanga del Sur Public Information Office chief Allan June Molde.

Molde added that the Zamboanga del Sur local government also gave out flyers in coastal areas of neighboring Zamboanga del Norte province.

“Well, we all know na 'yung means na pag-alis nung mga kumuha kay Father ay through boat kaya nagbabakasakali kami na may nakakita na maaring makapagbigay ng information na kailangan namin," he said.

(Well, we all know that Father's abductors fled through a boat so we are taking our chances if ever anyone saw the priest get abducted and give us much needed information.)

Sinnott, an Irish Catholic missionary, was abducted on Sunday night by still unidentified gunmen in Gates Distict in Pagadian City. [See: Gunmen seize Irish priest in Pagadian City]

Investigators on Thursday released an artist’s sketches of three suspects in the kidnapping case. [See: Police NBI release artist's sketches of Sinnott's abductors]

Molde further said that although the police and military are ready to launch a rescue operation anytime, their immediate concern is Sinnott’s health.

“I’m sure the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces are ready for rescue but our concern as of the moment is to bring medicines to Father," he said. 

Earlier, the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has agreed to help the government in locating and working on the safe release of the priest. The government and the rebel group have an arrangement to cooperate in fighting criminality in places where MILF forces are present, as part of a cease-fire agreement.

Police and military officials have said the victim is being kept by his captors in an area in western Mindanao that is under the control of an MILF commander. MILF officials have said its members have nothing to do with the kidnapping. - Andreo C. Calonzo, GMANews.TV