GOVERNOR Aurora Cerilles has aired her appeal to all concerned sectors that from now on, all valid information regarding Fr. Michael Sinnott’s abduction must emanate and be taken solely from the Crisis Management Committee (CMC).
Cerilles’ vented her request after noting the confusion and the impressions on the different information passed on by authorities and the ones reported by media, which sometimes detailed but uncertain updates of Sinnott’s whereabouts and the identities of his abductors.
The governor then said that such an appeal would be to prevent muddling up the rescue efforts and to avoid disorientation.
“We don’t want to confuse the people. Everything must come from the Crisis Management Committee,” she said, adding the CMC meets every other day for updates on the situation.
“This is one case that’s difficult to solve,” she added, as she expressed the pressing need to give Fr. Sinnott his medicines, which is, according to her, is CMC’s immediate concern as of the moment.
Major General Romeo Lustestica, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division, also scored the need to verify and substantiate information coming in “because the life of Fr. Sinnott is at stake.”
Cerilles, as chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council in Zamboanga Peninsula, created and headed the CMC, which will focus on the situation of the kidnapped priest.
Board Member Ernesto Mondarte, Lustestica, PNP Prov. Dir. P/SSupt. Ramon Ochotorena, Lt. Col. Erwin Alea of the 53rd IB, Vic Lingating, representing Mayor Sammy Co composed CMC’s members while Provincial Information Officer Allan June Molde was appointed spokesperson.
Cerilles likewise corrected one report which said that Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar as the recognized negotiator to the abductors. “Msgr. Cabajar is only to facilitate regarding the medicines of Fr. Sinnott,” she said.
Cabajar, along with the Department of Justice (DOJ) represented by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) through Pagadian City Chief Eric Distor are the other members of the CMC.
The CMC has organized “Task Force Sinnott” for the planning and investigation aspect of the Columban father’s abduction incident and for periodic evaluation and update of the situation.
The Provincial Government has already circulated 10,000 flyers containing Sinnott’s photo and a text appealing for help in establishing contact with the Irish priest’s abductors for the delivery of his medicines as soon as possible.
The 79-year old priest was kidnapped by six unidentified armed men at the Columban House last Oct. 11. His congregation has declared that he underwent a quadruple heart by-pass operation in Cebu in 2006 and has to take his medicines on a daily basis.
More than a week after he was abducted, several reports attributed to the military said that Sinnott was in Brgy. Payong, Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Sur.
Another unconfirmed report said Sinnott and his abductors did not leave Zamboanga del Sur while there are information relayed to the media that the victim is already in Basilan, a bailiwick of the Abu Sayyaf.
Sinnott is the coordinator of Hangop Kabataan, a charity center that caters to children diagnosed as autistic, and some with mental and physical disabilities.
Last Monday, the CMC released computer-generated sketches of the priest’s abductors.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA,WITH REPORTS FROM KIM AMOR, PPB
Cerilles’ vented her request after noting the confusion and the impressions on the different information passed on by authorities and the ones reported by media, which sometimes detailed but uncertain updates of Sinnott’s whereabouts and the identities of his abductors.
The governor then said that such an appeal would be to prevent muddling up the rescue efforts and to avoid disorientation.
“We don’t want to confuse the people. Everything must come from the Crisis Management Committee,” she said, adding the CMC meets every other day for updates on the situation.
“This is one case that’s difficult to solve,” she added, as she expressed the pressing need to give Fr. Sinnott his medicines, which is, according to her, is CMC’s immediate concern as of the moment.
Major General Romeo Lustestica, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division, also scored the need to verify and substantiate information coming in “because the life of Fr. Sinnott is at stake.”
Cerilles, as chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council in Zamboanga Peninsula, created and headed the CMC, which will focus on the situation of the kidnapped priest.
Board Member Ernesto Mondarte, Lustestica, PNP Prov. Dir. P/SSupt. Ramon Ochotorena, Lt. Col. Erwin Alea of the 53rd IB, Vic Lingating, representing Mayor Sammy Co composed CMC’s members while Provincial Information Officer Allan June Molde was appointed spokesperson.
Cerilles likewise corrected one report which said that Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar as the recognized negotiator to the abductors. “Msgr. Cabajar is only to facilitate regarding the medicines of Fr. Sinnott,” she said.
Cabajar, along with the Department of Justice (DOJ) represented by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) through Pagadian City Chief Eric Distor are the other members of the CMC.
The CMC has organized “Task Force Sinnott” for the planning and investigation aspect of the Columban father’s abduction incident and for periodic evaluation and update of the situation.
The Provincial Government has already circulated 10,000 flyers containing Sinnott’s photo and a text appealing for help in establishing contact with the Irish priest’s abductors for the delivery of his medicines as soon as possible.
The 79-year old priest was kidnapped by six unidentified armed men at the Columban House last Oct. 11. His congregation has declared that he underwent a quadruple heart by-pass operation in Cebu in 2006 and has to take his medicines on a daily basis.
More than a week after he was abducted, several reports attributed to the military said that Sinnott was in Brgy. Payong, Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Sur.
Another unconfirmed report said Sinnott and his abductors did not leave Zamboanga del Sur while there are information relayed to the media that the victim is already in Basilan, a bailiwick of the Abu Sayyaf.
Sinnott is the coordinator of Hangop Kabataan, a charity center that caters to children diagnosed as autistic, and some with mental and physical disabilities.
Last Monday, the CMC released computer-generated sketches of the priest’s abductors.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA,WITH REPORTS FROM KIM AMOR, PPB