HOPES ARE HIGH THAT FR. SINNOTT IS ALIVE
MANILA, OCTOBER 25, 2009 (STAR) Hopes remain high that abducted Irish priest Fr. Michael Sinnott is alive, according to a member of a government task force dealing with his abduction.
There are reports that backdoor negotiations are being conducted by certain groups to secure the safe release of the Irish missionary, who has been on maintenance medicine since undergoing open-heart surgery in 2005.
The task force member, who requested anonymity, said that before negotiations can take place, the kidnappers “should have Fr. Sinnott talk so everyone will know he is still alive. There should be proof of life first before anything else.”
“How could an honest-to-goodness negotiation start if there’s no proof of life? The kidnappers should know this,” he added.
On the other hand, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has formed its own Task Force Sinnott to help secure the missionary’s release.
The MILF leaders, who went to Dublin, Ireland in the middle of this year in a bid to adopt the Irish Republican Army-United Kingdom peace pact in the Mindanao peace talks, are also under pressure to search for Sinnott.
There are reports that rogue MILF members are behind the abduction of Sinnott, who was snatched by six armed men while on an evening stroll at the garden of the Columban Missionary Halfway House in Pagadian City last Oct. 11.
MILF public affairs chief Eid Kabalu has denied the reports and volunteered to send in their forces to track down the kidnappers.
But the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) advised the MILF not to send in armed troops to areas where Sinnott was last sighted as the move might result in a misencounter.
“What they can do is to identify the kidnappers, convince them to release Fr. Sinnott, take him and turn him over to the authorities,” said AFP public information office chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner. – Jaime Laude
Police units on alert for All Saints' Day By Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star) Updated October 25, 2009 12:00
[PHOTO AT LEFT - A vendor puts up a mini-store inside the Caloocan cemetery yesterday, a week ahead of All Saints’ Day. BOY SANTOS]
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday went on full alert with security preparations a week ahead of All Saints’ Day.
PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said all police units nationwide had been placed on alert against criminal elements taking advantage of the nationwide observance of All Saints’ Day.
Verzosa ordered all police directors to ensure the availability of units and personnel in the maintenance of peace and order during the long weekend holiday.
The PNP directed the implementation of operational guidelines on security coverage, public safety measures, contingency plans, and other support services to be provided by the police as Filipinos are expected to troop to cemeteries to honor their departed loved ones.
Police regional units and the PNP Traffic Management Group (TMG) was also tasked to establish Public Assistance Centers along the North and South Luzon Expressways in anticipation of the heavy volume of vehicle and commuter traffic going to the provinces.
Police districts in Metro Manila were also ordered to implement tighter security and patrol on bus and shipping terminals during the week leading to All Saints’ Day.
The PNP Maritime Group and Aviation Security Group were also ordered to implement special security measures in seaports and airports.
All police regional units were placed on alert against possible terror attacks on vital state installations and telecommunication facilities.
Police units in urban centers were also directed to maintain police visibility in congested areas and convergence points to deter criminal and terrorist elements from taking advantage of the situation.
These include preventive patrol and police visibility operations in residential areas, particularly unattended homes, Verzosa said.
Verzosa called on the public not to leave their homes unattended even during All Saints’ Day.
The PNP also reminded the public that it is against the law to bring bladed weapons and alcoholic drinks to cemeteries, and gambling and playing loud music are likewise prohibited.