Related News
Irish missionary released by Philippine captives
Source: Agencies |
November 13, 2009, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A 79-YEAR-OLD Irish missionary said he hiked through jungles, survived raging seas and slept in a swamp under a tarpaulin before his captors released him yesterday after a month, apparently without getting the ransom they demanded.
The Reverend Michael Sinnott said he was never harmed but said he worried about being released amid arduous conditions and a monotonous diet of sandwiches and rice.
"Because I am a bit old and I found hiking a bit difficult at times, I think that they'd be glad to kidnap a younger man next time," Sinnott said.
Six gunmen abducted Sinnott on October 11 from his home in the restless Mindanao region, home to several armed groups fighting for Muslim self-rule in the predominantly Catholic nation.
In a video released on October 31, Sinnott said the abductors were demanding US$2 million for his freedom.
The Irish and Philippine governments said no ransom was paid.
Philippine security officials blamed Sinnott's kidnapping on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, but the rebels denied involvement. Their leader, Mohagher Iqbal, said his group applied "pressure and our moral authority" on the kidnappers to release Sinnott.
The Reverend Michael Sinnott said he was never harmed but said he worried about being released amid arduous conditions and a monotonous diet of sandwiches and rice.
"Because I am a bit old and I found hiking a bit difficult at times, I think that they'd be glad to kidnap a younger man next time," Sinnott said.
Six gunmen abducted Sinnott on October 11 from his home in the restless Mindanao region, home to several armed groups fighting for Muslim self-rule in the predominantly Catholic nation.
In a video released on October 31, Sinnott said the abductors were demanding US$2 million for his freedom.
The Irish and Philippine governments said no ransom was paid.
Philippine security officials blamed Sinnott's kidnapping on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, but the rebels denied involvement. Their leader, Mohagher Iqbal, said his group applied "pressure and our moral authority" on the kidnappers to release Sinnott.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
