Fr. Mick with some of the staff at the Columban House in Manila
Fr. Mick relaxing with fellow Columbans at the St. Columban House
President Gloria Arroyo greets Fr. Mick
Fr. Mick upon arrival at Villamor Airbase
Fr. Mick at the St. Columban's in Singalong, Manila
ZAMBOSURIANS are looking forward to a happy reunion with kidnapped Columban priest Michael "Mick" Sinnot after he was freed, today, exactly a month after he was snatched from his home in Pagadian.
Governor Aurora Cerilles, who broke the news over DxCA-Bell FM, said the Irish priest was freed by his captors at 4:30 a.m., Nov. 12, at Sangali Village in Zamboanga City by members of the task force formed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and was then turned over to government peace negotiators.
Cerilles, who created and chaired the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) tasked to look for Sinnott, said she welcomed the priest’s release with a glad heart, adding everybody’s prayers for the clergy’s release was heard.
Sinnot, who was brought to the Western Mindanao Command headquarters for medical tests, was described as “disoriented but quite healthy.” He was flown to Manila to meet President Gloria Arroyo in Malacañang.
Sinnott has a history of heart problems and efforts to deliver his medicines were repeatedly pleaded by the Missionary Society of St. Columban (MSSC) during his captivity.
The priest’s release came barely three days after the Abu Sayyaf Group beheaded another kidnap victim, identified as Gabriel Canizares, principal of Kanague Elementary School in Patikul, Sulu, who was abducted last Oct. 19 in Brgy. Tanum.
Sinnott’s freedom also came 12 days after a proof of life video was received by the CMC relaying the abductors’ demand for a P100 million ransom. It was not known whether this demand was met as the government maintains its no ransom policy.
In an interview with journalists, Sinnott said that his captors, who identified themselves as a “lost command,” treated him well and made him sleep in a cot.
As of press time, nothing can be said about the kidnapping as both the military and the MILF refuse to speak where they found Sinnott or give details about his kidnappers.
In the past weeks, several names were bared by the military including the pronouncement made recently by DILG Sec. Ronaldo Puno, initially linking the MILF to the kidnapping but these only elicited denials from the rebel group.
“The MILF vehemently denied any part in the kidnapping, an act it consistently condemned,” MILF peace panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal said as he disclosed that members of the MILF task force had spoken with relatives of the kidnappers and “applied moral pressure.”
For his part, MSSC regional director Pat O’Donoghue wrote in his blog his reaction to Sinnott’s release.
“Thanks to all who have been praying for Father Michael and thanks to all who have been involved behind the scenes in trying to obtain his release. It is a moment of great joy and relief for all of us who know and love this great priest,” O’Donoghue wrote.
“In the face of all this we are assured that ‘God does not stand in awe of greatness, since he himself has made small and great and provides for all alike’. God’s kingdom continues to permeate the world despite the evil that seems to overwhelm us.”
"Father Mick’s abduction and the thirty-one days since have revealed many in whom the kingdom is alive. With the Samaritan we give praise and thanks to God whose love will conquer all," O'Donoghue concluded.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA (ALL PHOTOS FROM FR. SEAN COYLE'S BLOG)
