'No evidence' to suggest abducted priest is dead

THERE IS NO evidence to suggest that abducted missionary Fr Mick Sinnott is dead, officials from his religious order said yesterday, and everyone in the region was still praying for his safe release. Philippine authorities have issued a reward for information.

Rumours and misinformation in a wildly diverse and often terribly poor region are a major obstacle in efforts to local Fr Sinnott, who was kidnapped by six armed gunmen at his Missionary Society of Saint Columban compound in the southern city of Pagadian, on Mindanao island, on October 11st.

There had been rumours circulating by mobile phone text messages that Fr Sinnott had suffered a heart attack and died.

Fr Sinnott (79) needs daily medication for heart problems after he underwent heart-bypass surgery some years ago.

“I am not sure where the rumours originated,” said Fr Pat O’Donoghue, regional director of the Columban Fathers in the area. “Initial press reports suggested military sources, but this has been denied.

“What is of importance is that there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest any truth in these rumours,” Fr O’Donoghue added.

Fr Sinnott has spent about 40 years in the Philippines, after first arriving in Mindanao in 1957 as a missionary. After a stint elsewhere, he came back to the Philippines in 1976 and never left.

Local residents were planning a prayer rally “for Solidarity for Peace and Mick Sinnott” in Pagadian for this morning, similar to one held last Sunday in the area and organised by the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace.

“Mick is recognised here, not only for his dedication to children with special needs, but also for his work for justice and for interfaith dialogue and peace initiatives,” Fr O’Donoghue said.

There has been a strong local outpouring of support for his situation. The Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted Labour Secretary Marianito Roque saying many government agencies were disheartened by Fr Sinnott’s abduction.

Philippine authorities have also announced a reward of 200,000 pesos (€2,832) amid growing concern for the missing missionary.

Alan Molde, spokesman for the task force handling the abduction, said there had been no contact with the kidnappers and that police were following up all leads, including the anonymous mobile phone messages.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a Muslim separatist group, was initially believed to be involved.

However, the Islamic Front has denied any part in the kidnapping and says it is prepared to help in the rescue search. Now there are suspicions the Abu Sayyaf, a militant Muslim group blamed for the nation’s worst terrorist attacks, may be behind the abduction.

Sketches of the kidnappers, based on eyewitness accounts, are being circulated in the south.

Fr O’Donoghue said: “From what I know, I choose to believe that he is alive and I also believe that his captors will try to take care of him as best they can. I also choose to believe that they will have compassion and release him. My hope and prayer is that they will do this sooner rather than later.”