Priest vows to stay in Philippines despite kidnapping

A KIDNAPPED Irish priest freed after over a month in captivity in the Philippines has vowed to remain in the Asian islands and continue his work.

Fr Michael Sinnott is resting at the Columban missionaries’ compound in the capital Manila after his 32-day ordeal, which ended after he was handed over to police and government officials.

The 79-year-old cleric, who suffers from a serious heart problem, said his captors treated him well and he remained in good health despite the primitive conditions.

“I hope to stay on here in the Philippines and go back to doing my work.

“I don’t know what my superiors are going to say about that, but that is my own wish,” Fr Sinnott said.

The Co Wexford cleric said he had no desire to leave and believed he would not be targeted by kidnappers again.

“If they wanted to kidnap somebody, they’d be inclined to go for a much younger man because I was not able to always hike with the speed and keep going,” he said.

Fr Sinnott, who runs a school for children with hearing and learning difficulties, was snatched by six gunmen from his gated house in Pagadian City, on the southern island of Mindanao on October 11.

After being taken away by speedboat he was initially held outdoors in a cramped, swamped area, sleeping rough in a hammock. But he was moved after 10 days to a more open space in the jungle where he said he was well looked after and able to wash in clean water.

“They treated me very well,” he said.

“The night I was kidnapped they were quite rough in getting me into a small pick-up truck and throwing me into the back of it and getting me out of it and into a boat.

“But after that they couldn’t have done more to make it easier for me in the conditions in which we were living.”

It is believed a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front – the largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines – was behind the kidnapping.

Officials from the organisation helped Irish diplomats and Philippine negotiators secure the release.

President Mary McAleese, Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Mr Martin all led tributes to Fr Sinnott upon his release.

“He is clearly a man of great resilience, strength and courage and we wish him well as he seeks to recover from such a trying ordeal,” said the President.

Mr Cowen said everyone’s prayers had been answered.

“Government officials will be liaising with Fr Michael and offering any assistance we can, in bringing about a speedy reunion with his family and friends,” said the Taoiseach.