Govt to ensure charges are filed vs Sinnott abductors
11/13/2009 | 04:17 AM
The government assured the public on Thursday that it will criminally prosecute the abductors of Irish priest Michael Sinnott, despite the victim's refusal to file charges against the kidnappers, whom he described as "very very kind."
Outgoing Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. explained at a press briefing that the problem of kidnapping would remain unresolved if the government refuses to go after the abductors.
"Hindi pwede nating kalimutan ito e. Ngayon pag pinabayaan natin ito, dadagdag nang dadagdag (We cannot just forget this episode. If we let this pass, similar incidents would just pile up)," Teodoro said.
Sinnott, 79, was released early Thursday morning one month after he was abducted in Pagadian City allegedly by rogue members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The Irish Catholic priest however said he has no plans to file charges, saying his captors were “very, very kind." [See: MILF rebels were not my abductors, Sinnott says]
Countering claims that the MILF was responsible for his ordeal, Sinnott said it could have been any group who wanted to earn money through kidnap-for-ransom activities, and who also carried “separatist" sentiments.
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina said the kidnap-for-ransom charges against Sinnott's captors are continuously filed.
He also stressed the importance of apprehending the perpetrators even after the priest’s release.
"Di pwede na isosoli mo, wala nang kaso (You can’t just return him and expect no criminal case)," Espina said, adding the police are waiting for Sinnott to collaborate with them as his testimony would be "very crucial" to the investigation.
Aside from getting Sinnott's side, authorities would also use the testimonies of other witnesses.
Espina said that most of the abductors are members of the MILF 113th base command, and summons against them have already been sent through mails.
Named respondents were: Latip Jamat, Salip Aloy Alsree, Nasser Macabato, Imam Abubakar, Waning Abdusalam, Saidaman Alik, among others. – Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV
Outgoing Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. explained at a press briefing that the problem of kidnapping would remain unresolved if the government refuses to go after the abductors.
"Hindi pwede nating kalimutan ito e. Ngayon pag pinabayaan natin ito, dadagdag nang dadagdag (We cannot just forget this episode. If we let this pass, similar incidents would just pile up)," Teodoro said.
Sinnott, 79, was released early Thursday morning one month after he was abducted in Pagadian City allegedly by rogue members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The Irish Catholic priest however said he has no plans to file charges, saying his captors were “very, very kind." [See: MILF rebels were not my abductors, Sinnott says]
Countering claims that the MILF was responsible for his ordeal, Sinnott said it could have been any group who wanted to earn money through kidnap-for-ransom activities, and who also carried “separatist" sentiments.
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina said the kidnap-for-ransom charges against Sinnott's captors are continuously filed.
He also stressed the importance of apprehending the perpetrators even after the priest’s release.
"Di pwede na isosoli mo, wala nang kaso (You can’t just return him and expect no criminal case)," Espina said, adding the police are waiting for Sinnott to collaborate with them as his testimony would be "very crucial" to the investigation.
Aside from getting Sinnott's side, authorities would also use the testimonies of other witnesses.
Espina said that most of the abductors are members of the MILF 113th base command, and summons against them have already been sent through mails.
Named respondents were: Latip Jamat, Salip Aloy Alsree, Nasser Macabato, Imam Abubakar, Waning Abdusalam, Saidaman Alik, among others. – Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV
