Sinnott rescuers studying video

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) said yesterday that the video released by the kidnappers of Irish Catholic priest Michael Sinnott could give them vital clues on his exact location and the identity of his captors.

The video, obtained by reporters at the weekend, shows Sinnott making a statement under duress and saying that his kidnappers were demanding $2 million for his freedom.

The video could “confirm the initial information that we have obtained, for example on the identity of the kidnappers and where they are,” Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner told reporters.

“There are other clues that we can obtain from the video,” Brawner said, a day after the government and Sinnott’s religious mission rejected the ransom demand.

Sinnott, who has a history of heart problems, said in the video that a certain Abu Jandal was holding him.

“We had our intelligence community check this and found out that this person is nonexistent,” Brawner said. “So we know now for a fact that this is a pseudonym or a code-name being used.”

He said the video also showed vegetation that once analyzed could pinpoint the location of the 79-year old priest.

However, Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said Abu Jandal is already dead.

“We don’t have it (Abu Jandal) in our watch list. We haven’t dug up a report with that name,” Dolorfino said.

However, he maintained that the identities of the kidnappers were already known to them but was withholding this so as not to compromise ongoing operations.

No ransom for Sinnott

But the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) based in Zamboanga del Sur was hoping that the kidnappers would emerge soon even as it doubted the kidnapper’s name as mentioned by the victim.

“Since the proof of life was made public, no group that really holds Fr. Sinnott captive has came out to establish contact,” Alan June Molde, CMC spokesman, said.

Molde said the video footage was presumed to have been taped last Oct. 24 but was only made public last Friday after the security agencies and the CMC secured the copy of the “proof of life.”

“We wanted to see what were the demands of the group because we were wondering why the proof of life came up first and no group has owned responsibility. The situation on the case of Fr. Sinnott is in reverse,” he said.

But he said the proof of life was already a positive note that the group of kidnappers will soon lay their terms for the release of the hostage priest.

A highly placed source close to the crisis body disclosed that the group could not reveal its identity due to implications on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“Since day one of the kidnapping the MILF faction have already knowledge who were the ones holding Fr. Sinnott,” according to the official who asked not to be named as he is not allowed to issue public statement.

Molde also emphasized that the government, as a matter of policy, would not pay ransom.

“Paying ransom adds to everyone else’s vulnerability. We all become commodities rather than missionaries,” head of the Columbans in the country, Father Patrick O’Donoghue, was quoted as saying in local newspapers.

Puno: MILF has a hand

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who flew to Pagadian Friday for the emergency meeting with the CMC, was convinced that the rogue MILF was responsible for the kidnapping.

Puno appealed to the MILF hierarchy to exhaust the measures needed in the release of the victim the soonest possible time.

Malacañang, on the other hand, challenged the MILF to surrender its commanders reportedly involved in the kidnapping of Sinnott.

“If the MILF were offering their sincerest support or action towards the resolution or solution to this crisis then it would be welcome. Nevertheless, our police authorities supported by the military authorities would still be relentless in trying to pursue these perpetrators,” deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez said.

“I think it is incumbent upon the MILF to be supportive on the military operations particularly in handing over those who are accused of this crime,” he said.

Golez said the authorities continue to validate reports on the MILF involvement in the kidnapping and their identities even if the rebel group’s leaders announced that they are conducting an “internal investigation” into such reports.

“Nevertheless, if the go signal coming from the crisis management would be given to the PNP or to the military for possible rescue operation, the authorities are going to be ready for that,” Golez said.

An appeal to media

Meanwhile, officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and CMC appealed to the public and media practitioners to refrain from reporting unverified information, which could place the life of the kidnapped missionary in more danger.

In a statement, PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa stressed that the negotiation for the safe release of a kidnapped victim is a police function and any intelligence or operational input by other agencies should be relayed to the PNP through the CMC.

Verzosa ordered Police Director Felizardo Serapio Jr., Director for Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao (DIPO-WestMin) to coordinate closely with the CMC chaired by Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Aurora Cerilles to work out an action plan for the release of Sinnott.

“In any hostage situation, the paramount concern is always the safety of the victim,” Serapio said, echoing the urgent appeal of the CMC not to publish or broadcast images or statements from the victim or his kidnappers.

He also requested, if possible, media to seek the advice of authorities before publication of these materials to ensure the safety of the hostage.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said an efficient channel of communication with Sinnott’s abductors could be crucial in securing his safe release.

Espina said constant communication with the abductors of the three kidnapped International Committee of the Red Cross workers contributed greatly to the their safe release. The three ICRC workers were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu early this year. – With reports from Paolo Romero, Roel Pareño, Jaime Laude, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Mike Frialde