THE news of Columban priest Michael Sinnot’s release from his abductors today shows the government putting the priest’s life and health a priority, having had demanded and worked out for his liberty in just one month.
Had Sinnott’s freedom been extended a day or more and a wholesale collapse in the negotiation with the captors came about, we have nobody else to blame or villify. Remember that Sinnott’s case is different than Gabriel Canizares’, who was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf over a miscommunication in the demand for ransom.
It also appears that Sinnott’s kidnapping was being built into a case against the MILF, which had earlier offered to help rescue the priest in response to the request of Irish Ambassador Richard O’Brien. The government had been trying to undermine the MILF offer due to intelligence reports initially linking the MILF to the snatching. Added to that is the verbal slip of DILG Sec. Ronaldo Puno who accused a MILF commander to be the one hiding the elderly priest.
Again, with Sinnott’s kidnapping, we can see also that the MILF Central Committee has no control over their forces, regulars or the rogue ones, who are only out to disrupt the peace talks with their bombing, kidnapping and ambush escapades.
Now, with the finger pointed at the MILF, they can always say that they were never at fault but their “rogue” elements, even when these “rogue” elements are in their controlled territory and listed as active members, of good standing in the MILF separatist army.
On the other side, the MILF have tried to show goodwill on their part by offering help and were successful indeed. Similarly, those in the military should do the same.
This being said, we commend and praise those who worked round the clock for the release of Fr. Mick Sinnott. Well done, gentlemen.
