The kidnappers of Irish priest Fr Michael Sinnott have released a video of their hostage and demanded a $2 million (€1.35 million) ransom.
The video, which was obtained by government negotiators and broadcast on GMA television in Manila today, showed Fr Sinnott (79) holding a copy of the October 22nd issue of a local newspaper.
In the video, an unshaven Fr Sinnott appeals in a weak voice to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, to the Irish Government, to his fellow Columban missionaries and friends "who may have pity... to help so that I can get out of here as soon as possible."
"They are asking two million US dollars as ransom money," he said while standing in front of a bed sheet or table cloth in a forested area. "We are living in the open, in difficult circumstances. I am still in good health even if I do not have the full medicines."
The Co Wexford priest said his kidnappers are led by a commander named Abu Jayad.
Fr Sinnott was snatched from his compound on October 11th by six gunmen who barged into the Columban House in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province, 890km south of Manila. Fears have risen that the missionary was in a critical condition due to dysentery, malnutrition and the absence of the medicine he needs following open-heart surgery four years ago.
Authorities believe that rogue elements of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf) are behind the abduction. The Milf, as well as other Muslim armed gangs and bands of pirates, are known to operate in parts of Lanao del Norte. The Milf has repeatedly denied any involvement.
In a statement this afternoon, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said the Government will continue to work to secure the safe release of Fr Sinnott. He said he spoke to the Sinnott family early this morning "and they were very relieved to hear that there is further evidence that Fr Sinnott is alive".
He said he also spoke to Ambassador Richard O'Brien, who has been working with the Philippines government on getting the priest released. Mr O'Brien has also met representatives of the Milf and other agencies working in the area.
"No effort will be spared to secure the safe release of Fr Sinnott as soon as possible," Mr Martin said.
Father Patrick O'Donoghue, the Philippine head of the Missionary Society of Saint Columban, expressed relief that Fr Sinnott was looking relatively healthy but stressed that no money would be handed over.
”The Columban fathers do not pay ransoms and we never have and I don't think we ever would,” Fr O'Donoghue said, adding that Fr Sinnott would not want one to be paid. ”I could see him wanting that money to be used in ways rather than ransom. It should rather be used for education, for the care of people with disabilities."
Allan Molde, a spokesman of a Philippine government crisis panel dealing with the abduction said local officials had agreed not to pay any ransom and to ask security forces to put more pressure on the kidnappers to free Fr Sinnott.
The military have been informed about the ransom demand but want to validate the authenticity of the material, said military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Romeo Branwer.
"Our forces in the area are ready to use force to free the priest, but we are just awaiting instructions from authorities tasked to negotiate with the kidnappers," Lt Col Brawner said.
The Milf had also offered to help free the priest and sought permission to deploy about 100 of its guerrillas in the area where Fr Sinnott is believed to be held.
Milf spokesman Eid Kabalu said today he did not know of any Abu Jayad but the Milf leadership was aware of Fr Sinnott's general location and the likely identity of his kidnappers. But he said he would not reveal the details while the Milf pursued its own efforts to recover Fr Sinnott.
The area of the southern Philippines where Fr Sinnott is believed to be being held is a known stronghold of the Milf, while armed gangs and the Muslim Abu Sayyaf militant group are also known to operate in the often lawless region. The Abu Sayyaf and other gangs have previously kidnapped priests and other foreigners in the region and demanded ransoms for their release.
Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly and former Downing Street chief of staff Jonathan Powell have also been involved in behind-the-scenes talks.
Additional reporting: Agencies
