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Thursday, 12 November 2009 |
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MANILA, Philippines -- Irish priest Fr. Michael Sinnot was freed by his captors at dawn today in Zamboanga City, authorities said.
Sinnott, 79, was turned over by members of the GRP ceasefire committee and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Task Force around 4:20 a.m., GRP panel head Rafael Seguis said.
"Nandito sya ngayon nagpapahinga mukhang malakas naman (He is strong and taking a rest)," Seguis told a radio interview.
He said Sinnott will be flown to Manila today and presented to President Arroyo. Maj.Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino, Army's Western Mindanao Command, said there was no ransom paid to Sinnott's abductors.
"Hindi pa rin natin na masasabi kasi ongoing pa ang investigation ng ating kapulisan about that," Dolorfino said when asked if an MILF group was indeed behind the kidnapping.
He added that a manhunt operation is now underway for the foreign missionary's kidnappers. Sinnott will be boarding a Fokker plane to Manila.
Sinnott was snatched by a group of gunmen in Pagadian City last Oct. 11. Authorities earlier said a rogue MILF group was behind the kidnapping.
He was released on the day of the arrival of US State Department Secretary Hillary Clinton to Manila for a two-day meeting with President Arroyo. -- Phil.Star |
