Massive rally planned to demand Fr Sinnott's release
A massive public rally will be held tomorrow in the Philippines demanding a kidnap gang release an ailing Wexford-born priest snatched almost a fortnight ago.
The Columban Missionaries today dismissed speculation 79-year-old Fr Michael Sinnott had died in captivity, claiming they believed he was safe.
The Co Wexford cleric, who needs vital heart medication, was taken away by speed boat after being abducted from his gated compound in Pagadian City on the island of Mindanao on October 11.
Father Pat O’Donoghue, regional director of the Columban Fathers in the Asian islands, said more than 1,000 people were expected to take to the city’s streets.
“It (the march) will go down to the place by the sea where Fr Sinnott is supposed to have been put on the boat and taken,” Fr O’Donoghue said.
“There is an expectation that people from many of the parishes around the diocese may perhaps come and join this as their way of trying to express their upset at his abduction but also their plea that he would be released and released very quickly.”
Fr Sinnott ran a school for children with hearing difficulties where about 1,000 people turned up to a prayer meeting last weekend.
Fr O’Donoghue said that despite rumours that the popular missionary had died in captivity, military sources had confirmed he was still alive.
“I think it’s important for Mick’s family and those who know him in Ireland to make clear that these rumours are not true at all,” he said.
“The military put out a statement saying that he was alive.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin also said the reports from the region were unsubstantiated.
Ireland’s ambassador to Singapore Richard O’Brien has remained in Manila to monitor the situation.
Although reports from the region last week said Fr Sinnott had been sighted, it was understood no group had yet claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and it was not known if a ransom demand had been made.
