Arroyo orders PNP: Rescue abducted Irish priest

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to form a task force that would focus on the rescue operations for the 78-year-old Irish priest who was abducted in southern Philippines last Sunday. At the same time, officials appealed to the abductors of Michael Sinnott, a member of the Columban Missionaries assigned in Pagadian City, for his immediate and safe release. "The President strongly condemns the kidnapping," Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said. Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez said the no-ransom policy of the government stands on the case of Sinnott, who was seized at gunpoint by several armed men at about 7:20 p.m. Sunday in Gates District, Pagadian City. "Hopefully, very soon, the Irish priest can already be found unharmed and safely be brought to his family," Golez said.

Promptly after the President gave the order, the National Police said units in western Mindanao have been alerted to intercept the kidnappers and rescue the Irish missionary. PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said Chief Superintendent Angelo Sunglao, Regional Director of police Regional Office 9 based in Zamboanga City had disclosed that pursuit operations are underway in Zamboanga del Sur to catch up with the abductors of Fr. Sinnott. As of posting time, no ransom demand has been made in exchange of Sinnot's freedom. But Major Gen. Romeo Lustestica, commander of the Army's 1st Infantry Division, suspected that kidnappers abducted the missionary for money. "Most probably they wanted money out of their actions. Imagine a priest at 78... kikidnapin nila (they would kidnap) for what?" he said. DFA appeal The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), meanwhile, called on the abductors of Sinnott to release him safely and immediately. “The DFA joins the friends of Father Sinnott and other sectors of society in appealing to the abductors for his safe and immediate release given his advanced age and health condition," the DFA said in a statement. The DFA added that it had been in touch with the Irish Government with the help of the Irish Embassy in Singapore regarding Sinnott’s case. Lustestica said the military, together with the police and the local government officials, in Pagadian City are currently meeting in order to come up with a solution. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction. Nonetheless, Lustestica said all units of the military have already been alarmed and all checkpoints have been alerted. The military has also deployed sea patrols to prevent the possibility of Sinnot being moved out of Pagadian City by his abductors. - GMANews.TV