Sinnott proof of life sought

MANILA, Philippines - The continued reluctance on the part of kidnappers to present proof of life has triggered fears that all is not well with Fr. Michael Sinnott.

“Until now they have yet to show proof of life. We are now fearing for his safety,” said a member of the provincial crisis committee of Zamboanga del Sur negotiating for the release of the Irish priest.

The committee member noted the precarious medical condition of Sinnott who was recuperating from open heart surgery when unidentified men snatched him from his home at the Missionary Society of Saint Columban compound in Pagadian City on Oct. 11.

“We hope that Fr. Sinnott is safe but we can only be assured that he is still up and well if his kidnappers could present to us any proof of life,” said another committee member.

He pointed out Sinnott should have been taking his medicine following the operation and there was no such assurance.

“It has been several days and there is no proof of life yet coming from the kidnappers assuring us that Fr. Sinnott is still alive and well. We fear that something might have happened to him,” the committee member said.

Allan Molde, spokesman of the provincial crisis management committee, said they have no clear information on the condition and whereabouts of Sinnott.

“We appeal to the public to help give the necessary information and to the kidnappers to contact us for the speedy release of Fr. Sinnott,” Molde said.

“As the days pass by, our worries continued to increase because of the fragile health condition of Fr. Sinnott who recently underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery and he badly needs the medicine,” Molde added.

He said Sinnott is required to take at least eight kinds of medication daily.

Molde said the police and military have been receiving reports that Sinnott and his captors have been spotted in several areas near the boundaries of the Lanao provinces but this has not been confirmed.

The military said they are closing in on the jungle area between Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur following reports that civilian informants had spotted Sinnott and his kidnappers.

Other reports, however, claimed that the kidnappers have slipped Sinnott out to Basilan.

“We are all validating these reports,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said, adding that troops have been deployed in the area where Sinnott and his kidnappers were last spotted.

He said the troops are under orders to stand down to allow the provincial crisis committee to negotiate the peaceful and safe release of the priest. – With Roel Pareño