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.

The video, broadcast on Saturday on GMA TV network, sparked hope among his fellow Columban missionaries after rumours circulated that he had died while in jungle captivity.

The video, which was reportedly obtained by government negotiators, shows Mr Sinnott holding a copy of the Philippine Daily Inquirer dated October 22 - 11 days after about six gunmen snatched him as he was strolling in the garden of his residence in southern Pagadian city.

Mr Sinnott appeals in a weak voice to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Irish Government, his fellow missionaries and friends "who may have pity ... to help so that I can get out of here as soon as possible."

Ms Arroyo's spokesman, Cerge Remonde, said the government would "stick to the international policy of paying no ransom", adding that everything was being done to ensure Mr Sinnott's safe release.

Foreign Minister Micheál Martin said he was aware of the video. In a statement posted on the ministry's web site Saturday, he said he spoke to Mr Sinnott's family members, who were "very relieved" to know there was evidence the priest is alive.

Martin did not comment on the ransom demand, saying "no effort will be spared" to have the priest freed.

The Reverend Patrick O'Donoghue, who heads Columban priests in the Philippines, said he had seen the video and was relieved to know that Mr Sinnott was alive and had received medication for a heart ailment, but added that ransom should not be paid.

He reiterated a call to people with access to the kidnappers to convince them to free Mr Sinnott "without further delay".

A friend and fellow Irish priest, the Reverend Damien McKenna, said his group, the Missionary Society of St Columban, had not had any contact with the kidnappers and did not know how medicines were able to reach Mr Sinnott, who has had heart bypass surgery.

Mr McKenna said the abduction would not cow him and other Columban missionaries into abandoning impoverished southern communities where they have worked for decades.

"They're after the money and they know where to get us," Mr McKenna told The Associated Press by telephone from Pagadian. "That's the world where we live and continue to live in."

Mr Sinnott's abduction is the latest hostage crisis to grip the predominantly Roman Catholic nation, where Muslim militants waging a decades-old separatist rebellion have been blamed for high-profile kidnappings, including of foreign priests and aid workers.

It remains unclear who is holding Mr Sinnott, but some military officials have speculated that members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which has been holding on-and-off peace talks with the government, may have played a role in the abduction.

The rebels have denied any involvement and have promised to help free Mr Sinnott.

Meanwhile, Prayers have been offered in the Philippines and in Ireland today for the safe return of Fr Sinnott.