Sinnot says kidnappers were indigenous activists

Manila: A group which claims to be fighting for the rights of indigenous peoples of Mindanao was responsible for the abduction of Father Michael Sinnott, the recently-released missionary said Thursday.

Sinnott, in an interview aired by various radio stations moments after his release said a group of “lumads” or indigenous peoples, had abducted him to draw attention to their plight. “The armed men who abducted me said they want their rights to their own land recognized,” the 78-year-old Irish missionary said.

“They said it was very important to get their message out in the international media,” he added.

Sinnott was released to government representatives by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) around 4:30 am Thursday in Sangali, Zamboanga City at the end his a 33-day captivity.

MILF Vice Chairman for Political Affairs Ghazali Jaafar was quoted in the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines website, CBCP News, as saying that it was the MILF Ceasefire Committee and its own Task Force which “pressured” the armed group holding the foreign missionary.

He said the missionary had been freed without payment of ransom.

Earlier, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno accused members of the MILF’s 113th Base Command as responsible for the abduction of Sinnott.

But Jaafar said it is up for the MILF Central Committee to decide what to do with Fr. Sinnott’s kidnappers once their identities are known.

“It’s not for me to decide,” Jaafar was quoted as saying, short of admitting that MILF members were indeed responsible for the kidnapping.

The 79-year old missionary was abducted from his convent in Pagadian City last October 11, 2009.

Upon Sinnott’s arrival at around 10:30 am at the Villamor Airbase in suburban Pasay City, President Gloria Arroyo personally welcomed the priest, who appeared to be in good condition despite his several weeks’ captivity.

While expressing elation over the safe release of Sinnott, Arroyo also vowed that here would be no let-up in the manhunt against his kidnappers.

Aside from Arroyo, among those who welcomed Sinnott was Irish Ambassador Richard O’Bria, Lt. Gen. Mohammad “Ben” Dolorfino, Western Mindanao Commander, as well as Ambassador Rafael Seguis, chairman of the government peace panel engaged in talks with the MILF.

Arroyo thanked the (MILF for successfully working to resolve the crisis.

The CBCP President Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said the bishops are pleased with the resolution of the kidnapping of Sinnott.

“We are also hoping that a similar situation will not happen again. We have to treasure and be grateful to the missionaries working the people in Mindanao,” Archbishop Lagdameo added.