| Submit your comments on this article |
| Southeast Asia |
| Abducted Irish priest seen alive |
| 2009-10-14 |
| [Straits Times] AN ELDERLY Irish priest kidnapped in the southern Philippines was seen alive in an area known to be a stronghold of Muslim militants, a military official said on Tuesday. Michael Sinnott, 79, and his heavily armed captors were seen on Monday in a coastal area of Lanao del Sur province about 70 kilometres southeast from where he was taken, regional military chief Major General Ben Dolorfino said. 'The victim and his kidnappers were sighted in Lanao del Sur,' Major Dolorfino told reporters, but declined to give specific details so as not to jeopardise pursuit operations. He declined to elaborate when asked why troops were not immediately sent in to rescue Father Sinnott, who was seized by six armed men on Sunday from his home at the Missionary Society of St Columban compound in Pagadian city on Sunday. Major Dolorfino also gave no details about Father Sinnott's health, after the priest's colleagues said a heart problem meant he may not survive the ordeal, and only expressed hope his abductors would treat him well. 'We cannot say anything about his condition but we know he recently underwent bypass surgery and considering that situation (we hope) his captors may not move him around to different places,' Major Dolorfino said. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Philippines? Oh, I thought the Vikings were at it again. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2009-10-14 09:50 |