Kidnapped priest’s health is failing: military

THE elderly Irish priest being held hostage in the Philippines is still alive but has become very weak as his health fails, according to a military commander who made contact yesterday with his kidnappers.

The gunmen holding Fr Michael Sinnott have also been in touch with his order, the Columban fathers in the city of Pagadian. The contact was made yesterday by telephone through Major General Ben Dolorfino who declined to disclose the details of the call or whether any ransom demand has been made by the priest’s kidnappers.

Four of the six armed men who forcibly took him last Sunday night have been identified by authorities.