MANILA, Philippines—Police in Western Mindanao were fast-tracking the gathering of evidence against the suspects in the kidnapping of Irish priest Michael Sinnott, the Philippine National Police said Thursday.
This as military and police forces continue to hunt down the kidnappers, who seized Sinnott October 11 in Pagadian City. The Catholic missionary was released Thursday morning, said PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina.
“Simultaneous with ongoing case build-up operations, police and military troops will continue pursuit operations against the suspects to bring them before the bar of justice,” Espina said.
Espina said the release of Sinnott would not prevent police from pursuing cases against members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) tagged in the abduction of the Columban missionary.
Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said that the MILF’s 113th Base Command under Commander Aloy Al Asree was behind Sinnott’s abduction.
Espina said among those who would be charged include MILF 113th Base Command commander Salip Aloy Alsree, Latip Jamat, Nasser Macabato, Imam Abubakar, Waning Abdusalam, Saidaman Alic and other John Does.
Sinnott would be asked for a sworn affidavit which, he said, would be used in the filing of cases against his captors.
“It’s important for us to enforce the law, investigate, file cases and prosecute. This is not an ordinary crime,” Espina said in a news briefing.
“In fact, the investigative unit of the crisis management committee has already sent summonses by registered mail to those who are being implicated in the case,” he added.
The MILF repeatedly denied involvement in the abduction of the Columban missionary, saying Alsree and his men were actually helping government troops find Sinnott.
The 79-year-old priest was handed over by MILF rebels to government peace negotiators in Zamboanga early Thursday morning.
PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa said that Sinnott was released due to the “constant pressure of police and military constriction operations.”
Verzosa said the release was “unconditional” and that no ransom was paid.
