Philippine government stands firm against ransom for return of Fr Sinnott

The Philippine government rejected a US$2m (€1.3m) ransom demanded by the kidnappers of an Irish priest Michael Sinnott in the country's volatile south and said today that efforts would continue to safely secure his freedom.

The kidnappers of the Fr Sinnott have released a video in which the 79-year-old missionary says his captors are demanding $2m in exchange for his freedom.