One week after the abduction of the ailing Irish missionary priest Michael Sinnott, people close to him have become even more concerned about his health, although authorities are still hopeful they would be able to “establish contact” with the kidnappers in due time. A local cleric said that “the Vatican has been very concerned about the kidnapping.”
Fr. Gilbert Hingone, spokesperson of the Catholic Church’s Pagadian diocese, told reporters they had received two phone calls from the Vatican asking for updates on the search for Sinnott, a member of the Missionary Society of Saint Columban.
On Sunday morning, parents of the special children cared for by Sinnott’s charity initiative Hangop Kabataan, and his lay colleagues held a prayer march around the city.
Starting at the Hangop Kabataan center, the march passed by City Hall and the provincial Capitol, and culminated in a prayer-gathering in Santa Lucia district where Sinnott was forced into a motorized outrigger by his abductors.
The marchers urged the local faithful of all religions to pray for the safety of Sinnott, who has been active in the interfaith movement.
Zamboanga del Sur Governor Aurora Cerilles, chair of the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) that has been overseeing search efforts, appealed to the kidnappers anew to “contact us please” so that authorities would know “what’s on their mind.”
Cerilles said the priority action for the CMC would be to ensure continuing medication for Sinnott. The Irish priest who has a heart ailment has been taking eight pills a day.
“What makes it difficult is the lack of contact until now,” she said.
But Cerilles expressed optimism that the kidnappers would communicate with authorities in due time.
She recalled that in the case of Italian missionary priest Giancarlo Bossi, the kidnappers took about 10 days before opening the communication lines.
Addressing the kidnappers, Cerilles said, “If you want that I negotiate with you, I am willing to take on such a role."
Director Felizardo Serapio, western Mindanao chief of the Directorate for Integrated Police operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the constant appeals on radio and on leaflets could hopefully bear fruit.
Serapio said they had reason to believe Sinnott could either be in Sultan Naga Dimaporo town in Lanao del Norte, or in a lair in the coastal areas of the Baganian Peninsula in Zamboanga del Sur.
“They could still be moving, or trying to settle securely,” said Serapio when asked why the kidnappers had not yet communicating.
Cerilles categorically denied earlier claims of anything conclusive on the whereabouts of Sinnott.
She reiterated the denial made by the Columban mission’s regional director Patrick O’ Donoghue about the alleged phone call they received from the kidnappers supposedly emanating from Lanao del Norte.
“Please do not confuse the people,” Cerilles appealed.
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