ZAMBOANGA CITY – The provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur has denied reports that kidnapped Irish priest Michael Sinnott has died in the hands of his captors.

Alan Molde, provincial information officer, said there was no truth to the reports circulating that Sinnott was dead.

Remai Alejado, a local media practitioner in Pagadian City, said the missionary “was too old and weak at his age 78.”

Alejado said Sinnott had a bypass operation.

At least six armed men snatched Sinnott from the Columban House in Gatas District in Pagadian City at around 7:20 p.m. Sunday.

Chief Superintendent Angel Sunglao, Western Mindanao police chief, said the assailants forcibly entered the Columban House and took Sinnott at gunpoint, and then fled with the priest on board a mini-van with license plate GBL 687, he said.

Sunglao said the mini-van was burned by the suspect when the reached Sta. Lucia village.

They then took a boat and sailed to high seas with the victim.

Sunglao said a fisherman later told police he saw the gunmen and the priest heading towards Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur.