A top police official involved in the efforts to bring back Fr. Michael “Mick” Sinnot believes the media, aside from insinuating reports about the present condition of the kidnapped victim, can be a potent part of the solution in bringing the Columban priest back.
Speaking on a condition of anonymity and in a huddle with several journalists, the said official requested members of the fourth estate to “encourage the community to come out and tell any information they know regarding Fr. Sinnot’s whereabouts.”
He added that journalists, with the compelling power they yield in shaping public opinion and providing vital information, can work with the neighbordhood to reduce the fear and improve community and police cooperation.
“Nakakahiya tayo sa ibang bansa, not only sa gobyerno natin. With your power, you can convince and touch the hearts of the community, or kung sino na me alam, including Fr. Mick’s kidnappers,” he said.
The 79-year old Irish priest was abducted last Oct. 11 from the Columban residence by six armed men and forcefully taken into a motorized boat and taken somewhere.
No group has since claimed responsibility of the kidnapping as well as no ransom has been demanded so far.
“Anybody na may alam, please gawin niyo, makialam na tayo lahat. This is not the problem of the PNP, AFP and the local government unit anymore but this is the problem of the Philippine government na because makauulaw na talaga,” he said.
“Father Sinnott has been in the Philippines for 55 years doing charitable works. Yung hindi nagawa ng gobyerno sa mga pobre nagawa ni Fr. Sinnott. Pero nawala yong pagiging thankful natin,” added the high-ranking policeman.
“Supposedly, we could have done something favorable pa sana to an Irish national in our country tapos Filipino pa ang kumidnap sa kanya,” he explained, a big contrary to the favorable treatment received by Filipinos working in Ireland as OFWs.
“This is a wake up call for us,” he said, briefly concluding his conversation with local journalists.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA
Speaking on a condition of anonymity and in a huddle with several journalists, the said official requested members of the fourth estate to “encourage the community to come out and tell any information they know regarding Fr. Sinnot’s whereabouts.”
He added that journalists, with the compelling power they yield in shaping public opinion and providing vital information, can work with the neighbordhood to reduce the fear and improve community and police cooperation.
“Nakakahiya tayo sa ibang bansa, not only sa gobyerno natin. With your power, you can convince and touch the hearts of the community, or kung sino na me alam, including Fr. Mick’s kidnappers,” he said.
The 79-year old Irish priest was abducted last Oct. 11 from the Columban residence by six armed men and forcefully taken into a motorized boat and taken somewhere.
No group has since claimed responsibility of the kidnapping as well as no ransom has been demanded so far.
“Anybody na may alam, please gawin niyo, makialam na tayo lahat. This is not the problem of the PNP, AFP and the local government unit anymore but this is the problem of the Philippine government na because makauulaw na talaga,” he said.
“Father Sinnott has been in the Philippines for 55 years doing charitable works. Yung hindi nagawa ng gobyerno sa mga pobre nagawa ni Fr. Sinnott. Pero nawala yong pagiging thankful natin,” added the high-ranking policeman.
“Supposedly, we could have done something favorable pa sana to an Irish national in our country tapos Filipino pa ang kumidnap sa kanya,” he explained, a big contrary to the favorable treatment received by Filipinos working in Ireland as OFWs.
“This is a wake up call for us,” he said, briefly concluding his conversation with local journalists.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA