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23/10/2009
Columbans Deny Reports Of Priest's Death
The Columban Fathers in the Philippines have denied reports the kidnapped Irish priest Fr Michael Sinnott is dead.
The religious order is locked in negotiations for release of the 79-year-old Fr Sinnott's who was abducted by an armed gang in the city of Pagadian while taking a stroll on 11 October.
However, press reports from the area have suggested the priest, who had been suffering from medical problems, had not survived his ordeal.
According to Pilipino news source Philstar, Military intelligence operatives have been deployed to verify reports of the priest's death.
According to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, intelligence operatives are trying to check a range of information from the ground units on the real condition of Sinnott.
"Our fighting units are on standby, awaiting instructions from the local crisis management committee, but our intelligence units are already out to verify his real condition," Brawner said.
Fears have been expressed over his health after it was revealed Fr Sinnot had underwent a heart bypass operation four years ago and required regular medication.
However, despite the unconfirmed reports, the Columban Fathers are maintaining that no evidence for the Priest's death has yet emerged.
(DW/BMcC)
The religious order is locked in negotiations for release of the 79-year-old Fr Sinnott's who was abducted by an armed gang in the city of Pagadian while taking a stroll on 11 October.
However, press reports from the area have suggested the priest, who had been suffering from medical problems, had not survived his ordeal.
According to Pilipino news source Philstar, Military intelligence operatives have been deployed to verify reports of the priest's death.
According to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, intelligence operatives are trying to check a range of information from the ground units on the real condition of Sinnott.
"Our fighting units are on standby, awaiting instructions from the local crisis management committee, but our intelligence units are already out to verify his real condition," Brawner said.
Fears have been expressed over his health after it was revealed Fr Sinnot had underwent a heart bypass operation four years ago and required regular medication.
However, despite the unconfirmed reports, the Columban Fathers are maintaining that no evidence for the Priest's death has yet emerged.
(DW/BMcC)
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