MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang clarified yesterday that the participation of foreign governments in the effort to secure the release of Irish priest Michael Sinnott would not mean sending troops to the country but would most likely be in the form of intelligence gathering and equipment.
“The fact that we are welcome to any kind of offer of help from foreign governments is a good statement of general principle,” deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said in a briefing.
Sinnott’s order, the Columban missionaries, had reportedly asked the United States government to help secure his safe release.
Speculations were rife that this could mean the sending of American troops to engage in combat operations.
Olivar said such a move would have “clear and obvious diplomatic as well as military ramifications” on both countries, adding that if ever such a situation ensues, the two countries would have to be guided by the Visiting Forces Agreement.
On reports that Sinnott could be in the hands of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Olivar said that this could work in favor of the priest because the group has been coordinating with the US government on its peace process with the Philippine government.
“Well, if this rumor is true and if we’re talking about the regular or the conventional or mainstream MILF forces, I would imagine that it’s just a matter of time before we see a resolution to this crisis,” he said.
Troops cordon two Lanaos
Meanwhile, the military revealed that the gunmen holding Sinnott were prevented from moving him to Basilan by the intensified security on land and sea.
A military source said the kidnappers’ plan prompted them to deploy troops in the area of Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Norte and Pikong Lanao del Sur.
Latest reports, quoting the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom), said the bandits have been sighted in barangay Gamal in the municipality of Sapad, Lanao del Norte.
Sinnott was allegedly turned over by the kidnappers to a certain MILF commander Nasser, who is allegedly based in the municipality.
The Philippine Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade’s Col. Benito de Leon, on the other hand, denied that “the victim and his kidnappers were in the area.”
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Romero Brawner said there are strong indications that Sinnott is still in the area but was passed on to another group.
“We are careful not to point to the MILF so we are still verifying reports. But just the same our troops in the area have been alerted, meaning if the crisis management committee says that the AFP and the PNP should launch a rescue operation then we will do that. But as of now there are no orders yet,” Brawner said.
Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Aurora Ceriles, chair of the regional and provincial crisis council, has appealed to the kidnappers to establish contact so that they could send the needed medicine for the captive priest, who recently underwent heart bypass operation.
The governor confirmed that there had been no communication with the kidnappers since Fr. Sinnott was abducted last Oct. 11 from the Columban house in Pagadian City.
Nothing to gain
At the Senate, Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said the abduction of Sinnott would only derail efforts to pursue the peace process in Mindanao.
The minority leader said the government must exhaust all efforts to pursue the negotiations, maintain the mutual ceasefire and forge an agreement to bring about lasting peace and stability in conflict areas in Mindanao.
Because of the ongoing conflict, Pimentel said that about 90,000 displaced persons could not go back to their homes and farms and are still staying in various evacuation centers, including 30,000 in Marawi City, 30,000 in Cotabato and 30,000 in other places.
Pimentel also decried the government’s failure to offer the federalism proposal during the negotiations, which is strongly favored by Muslim political and rebel leaders, because it is perceived as the ultimate legal response to the clamor of Muslim Filipinos for genuine autonomy.
He said the bandits will not gain anything from the abduction because the Columban Missionaries do not have the means to pay ransom.
Pimentel said the string of abductions has only exacerbated the problems in Muslim Mindanao at a time when the government and MILF are trying to restart the peace talks. – Christina Mendez, Lino de la Cruz, James Mananghaya, Roel Pareño, Jaime Laude