DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs officials were last night urgently checking out unconfirmed reports that kidnapped Irish priest Fr Michael Sinnott was injured and had been turned over by his captors to a commander of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the Philippines.Reports emerging from the Philippines indicate the 78-year-old Columban missionary had been handed over to the MILF in Lanao del Norte.
Fr Sinnott was reportedly seen with "blood on his head".
The Department of Foreign Affairs said Ireland's Ambassador to Singapaore, Dick O'Brien, is in Manila and continues to liaise with the authorities.
The Philippine government yesterday asked the large rebel group MILF to help secure the freedom of Fr Sinnott, who underwent a heart bypass four years ago and is on regular medication.
The 11,000-strong MILF pledged to work for the release of the priest, but the alliance between the rebels and the government is rare.
It was only a matter of months ago when the sides were involved in violent clashes that cost hundreds of lives.
But the MILF civil-military affairs chief Eid Kabalu described the claim as "speculative and baseless" and "a figment of the imagination of police authorities".
An investigation into the kidnap showed that a notorious pirate in Zamboanga del Sur, Guingona Samal provided the speedboat used to transport Fr Sinnott to Lanao, Dolorfino. Fr Sinnott was snatched from his compound on Sunday evening while he was out for a walk.
Last night, a leading bishop issued a desperate plea for the safe return of Fr Sinnott.
The chairman of the Bishops' Commission for the Missions, Bishop Colm O'Reilly, pleaded with anyone with influence over the kidnappers to expedite the release of "this true servant of the people".
Courage
"Fr Sinnott's courage and generosity in returning to active missionary service following major surgery, and already close to 80 years of age, has touched the hearts of Irish people as well as the many people to whom he ministers," Bishop O'Reilly said.
Originally from Wexford, Fr Sinnott has worked in the Philippines for about 40 years.
He was snatched from his compound on Sunday evening and is believed to have been taken to a rebel stronghold by van and speedboat.
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