MANILA, Philippines?Investigators are examining the video of kidnapped Irish priest Fr. Michael Sinnott for clues on his location and the identity of his abductors for a possible rescue operation, the military said Monday.
Although the kidnappers used a blue-and-white blanket as a background in the filming as the 79-year-old Columban missionary read a statement announcing that a $2-million ransom was being demanded for his release, some vegetation was visible, said Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr.
?More or less, we can identify from the upper portion of the video what kind of vegetation is that and where it is thriving whether in the lowlands, midlands or highlands,? the spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines told reporters.
?These are some clues that we can use to determine more or less the location of Father Sinnott,? Brawner said.
In the video released at the weekend, Sinnott is shown with an Oct. 22 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer as proof that he is alive.
The priest who was seized by armed men on Oct. 11 while taking an evening stroll outside the Columban Center in Pagadian City identified the leader of his kidnappers as a certain Abu Jayad?dismissed by Brawner as possibly nothing more than a code name or alias.
Malacañang and Catholic Church leaders have rejected the $2-million ransom demand.
?Paying ransom adds to everyone else?s vulnerability. We all become commodities rather than missionaries,? said Fr. Patrick O?Donoghue, head of the Columbans in the Philippines.
Brawner maintained that Sinnott, who has a history of heart problems, was being held either in Lanao del Norte or Lanao del Sur where rogue elements of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were known to operate.
Troops poised for rescue
He said the video could help investigators confirm initial information gathered by intelligence operatives.
Brawner said the military was poised to launch rescue operations with troops from the 104th Infantry Brigade already fielded in areas where the kidnappers were believed to be holding Sinnott.
?Once the crisis management committee gives us the go signal, then we will do that, but of course with the support of the police as this remains to be a law enforcement operation,? he said.
Director General Jesus Verzosa of the Philippine National Police directed his units in Mindanao to coordinate closely with local officials in taking ?all peaceful means of securing the safe and unconditional release? of the priest.
Like in any other kidnapping cases, Verzosa stressed in a statement that the investigation into Sinnott kidnapping should be treated as a ?police function.?
Media warned
Verzosa said he ordered Director Felizardo Serapio Jr., chief of the Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao, to work closely with the multisectoral crisis management committee headed by Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Aurora Cerilles, which was formed to secure Sinnott?s release.
Echoing the stand of Malacañang, Serapio urged the media ?to refrain from entertaining speculations and unverified information? following the release of the Sinnott video.
Serapio said it would be better for journalists to talk first with the crisis committee before doing news stories which may put Sinnott?s life in danger.
?In any hostage situation, the paramount concern is always the safety of the victim,? Serapio said, as he expressed optimism that Sinnott will be freed ?in due time.?
The MILF has offered to rescue the Irish priest, but in a post on its official website, spokesperson Eid Kabalu said it had called off the mission until permission was secured from the committee on the size of the force to be deployed.
Allan June Molde, committee spokesperson, said the panel would discuss the issue today, stressing that it was inclined ?to exhaust all peaceful means first.?
Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said any MILF offer of intervention should be coursed through the peace panels. He said he would discuss the MILF offer in the committee meeting today. With reports from Marlon Ramos and Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao
