RELIGIOUS communities in Mindanao have expressed their grief over the kidnapping of Fr. Michael Sinnot by still unidentified men, Sunday evening, Oct. 11, inside the St. Columban Residence in Gatas District, Pagadian City.
Sinnott, a native of Barntown, Co. Wexford, is the coordinator of Hangop Kabataan, a Community Based Rehabilitation for Special Children (CBR) based here.
He was assigned in Mindanao since 1957, briefly left the country in 1966 to return to Ireland then went back in 1976 where he has served in a variety of pastoral and administrative roles in several towns around Zambosur.
A report from the city police blotter said that the 79-year old priest was taking a stroll inside the compound after dinner when about five men suddenly stormed in, forced the missionary to board a multicab and whisked him away to a squatter area in Sta. Lucia District.
There, the abductors tried to burn the multicab before fleeing in a pump boat at the coastal area.
A witness, who declined to be named, said she saw the priest being led to a motorized boat wearing only jogging pants. "His front and back were bloodied. He was dragged to a waiting pump boat," she said.
Last Monday, Fr. Sean Martin, fellow Columban priest, appealed to the kidnappers for the safe recovery and compassion on the aged kidnapped clergy, saying Sinnot has a heart ailment and has to take his medicines regularly.
“He may not be able to walk long distances. Nagtoo ako nga aduna pay kalooy nga nabilin sa ilang kaugalingon ang mga mi-kidnap kaniya nga anaa unta siya sa maayong kahimtang,” Martin was quoted as saying in Cebuano.
The same call was also published in the Columban Lay Missionaries-Philippines website.
"Columban Father Fr. Michael Sinnott was kidnapped on Sunday evening in Mindanao. He has worked with the people of Mindanao for more than 30 years because of his love to them. He is old, weak and with heart problem," the website said.
"To those holding Fr. Michael Sinnott, we appeal to you to please handle him with great compassion and care," the appeal went on.
By Monday afternoon, in a press conference at the Provincial Capitol with Gov. Aurora Cerilles, Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar of the Pagadian Diocese said he was sad and worried about Sinnott’s health condition.
“The priests, religious and lay people of Pagadian Diocese are deeply saddened by the forcible abduction of Fr. Mick” who has worked for a long time in the diocese and is giving an invaluable service to the people, especially the children, through the Hangop Kabataan Foundation,” he said.
“As we urge the people to pray for his safety, we also appeal to his abductors to treat him with respect and release him soonest,” he added.
As this developed, the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS)-RMC, Zamboanga Peninsula and the Ummah Fi Salam released a statement condemning Sinnot’s abduction, calling it “an act against the morality of Islam.”
“In solidarity, we join our Christian brethrens in strongly condemning this act. We also pray for his safety and immediate release.
“Even as we say this we also appeal for calmness and sobriety and ask that we work together in solidarity for the early and unconditional release of Fr. Sinnot.”
The CBCS-RMC likewise described Sinnot as “a respected member of the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace in Pagadian City…who who has contributed a lot in bridging understanding and peace building.”
A report from DxDD-AM, a Catholic radio based in the nearby Ozamiz City, also quoted Columban regional director Fr. Patrick O’Donoghue expressing shock and disbelief over the incident. He further said they have no idea as to the motive of the kidnapping and has not received any ransom demand as of press time.
Police Provincial Director S/Supt. Ramon Ochotorena, meanwhile, said they are still validating the kidnapping at the moment and establishing the identities of the abductors. He added that a combined police and military operation has been launched to find the priest.
Sinnot is the third Irish priest kidnapped in the Western Mindanao-Lanao area during the last 12 years.
On Oct. 27, 1997, Fr. Desmond Hartford was abducted in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte. He was freed days later.
August 28, 2001, Fr. Rufus Halley, another Columban missionary, was shot dead in Malabang, Lanao del Sur, while resisting a kidnap attempt.
In June 2007, gunmen kidnapped Italian missioner Giancarlo Bossi of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay while rogue MILF rebels of the dreaded Pentagon Gang snatched Fr Giuseppe Pierantoni in Dimataling, Zambosur in 2001.
Sinnott’s kidnapping came almost three weeks after security forces recovered in Basilan the three kidnapped teachers from Zamboanga Sibugay last March.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA
Sinnott, a native of Barntown, Co. Wexford, is the coordinator of Hangop Kabataan, a Community Based Rehabilitation for Special Children (CBR) based here.
He was assigned in Mindanao since 1957, briefly left the country in 1966 to return to Ireland then went back in 1976 where he has served in a variety of pastoral and administrative roles in several towns around Zambosur.
A report from the city police blotter said that the 79-year old priest was taking a stroll inside the compound after dinner when about five men suddenly stormed in, forced the missionary to board a multicab and whisked him away to a squatter area in Sta. Lucia District.
There, the abductors tried to burn the multicab before fleeing in a pump boat at the coastal area.
A witness, who declined to be named, said she saw the priest being led to a motorized boat wearing only jogging pants. "His front and back were bloodied. He was dragged to a waiting pump boat," she said.
Last Monday, Fr. Sean Martin, fellow Columban priest, appealed to the kidnappers for the safe recovery and compassion on the aged kidnapped clergy, saying Sinnot has a heart ailment and has to take his medicines regularly.
“He may not be able to walk long distances. Nagtoo ako nga aduna pay kalooy nga nabilin sa ilang kaugalingon ang mga mi-kidnap kaniya nga anaa unta siya sa maayong kahimtang,” Martin was quoted as saying in Cebuano.
The same call was also published in the Columban Lay Missionaries-Philippines website.
"Columban Father Fr. Michael Sinnott was kidnapped on Sunday evening in Mindanao. He has worked with the people of Mindanao for more than 30 years because of his love to them. He is old, weak and with heart problem," the website said.
"To those holding Fr. Michael Sinnott, we appeal to you to please handle him with great compassion and care," the appeal went on.
By Monday afternoon, in a press conference at the Provincial Capitol with Gov. Aurora Cerilles, Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar of the Pagadian Diocese said he was sad and worried about Sinnott’s health condition.
“The priests, religious and lay people of Pagadian Diocese are deeply saddened by the forcible abduction of Fr. Mick” who has worked for a long time in the diocese and is giving an invaluable service to the people, especially the children, through the Hangop Kabataan Foundation,” he said.
“As we urge the people to pray for his safety, we also appeal to his abductors to treat him with respect and release him soonest,” he added.
As this developed, the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS)-RMC, Zamboanga Peninsula and the Ummah Fi Salam released a statement condemning Sinnot’s abduction, calling it “an act against the morality of Islam.”
“In solidarity, we join our Christian brethrens in strongly condemning this act. We also pray for his safety and immediate release.
“Even as we say this we also appeal for calmness and sobriety and ask that we work together in solidarity for the early and unconditional release of Fr. Sinnot.”
The CBCS-RMC likewise described Sinnot as “a respected member of the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace in Pagadian City…who who has contributed a lot in bridging understanding and peace building.”
A report from DxDD-AM, a Catholic radio based in the nearby Ozamiz City, also quoted Columban regional director Fr. Patrick O’Donoghue expressing shock and disbelief over the incident. He further said they have no idea as to the motive of the kidnapping and has not received any ransom demand as of press time.
Police Provincial Director S/Supt. Ramon Ochotorena, meanwhile, said they are still validating the kidnapping at the moment and establishing the identities of the abductors. He added that a combined police and military operation has been launched to find the priest.
Sinnot is the third Irish priest kidnapped in the Western Mindanao-Lanao area during the last 12 years.
On Oct. 27, 1997, Fr. Desmond Hartford was abducted in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte. He was freed days later.
August 28, 2001, Fr. Rufus Halley, another Columban missionary, was shot dead in Malabang, Lanao del Sur, while resisting a kidnap attempt.
In June 2007, gunmen kidnapped Italian missioner Giancarlo Bossi of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay while rogue MILF rebels of the dreaded Pentagon Gang snatched Fr Giuseppe Pierantoni in Dimataling, Zambosur in 2001.
Sinnott’s kidnapping came almost three weeks after security forces recovered in Basilan the three kidnapped teachers from Zamboanga Sibugay last March.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA