Rebel leaders refuse Sinnott release request
Thursday, 5 November 2009 20:27
An attempt to get rebel leaders in the Philippines to order the release of kidnapped Irish priest Fr Michael Sinnott has failed.
Muslim rebel leaders refused a Philippine government demand to force one of their members accused of kidnapping Fr Michael Sinnott to come out and deny the allegation.
Aloy al Asree, a commander of more than 3,000 men in the troubled southern Philippines, would not want to turn himself into a target for authorities, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said.
'It's complicated. He might be arrested if he shows up at the (government) crisis management committee,' MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said, referring to local officials seeking contact with the kidnappers.
Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said this week that Mr Al Asree, commander of a MILF unit called the 113th base command, was involved in the abduction of the 79-year-old.
Fr Sinnott was kidnapped in the southern city of Pagadian on 11 October.
Although the kidnappers have released a video in which Mr Sinnott spoke, they have not revealed their identities.
The MILF has denied Mr al Asree or any other rebel leader was involved in the kidnapping, and warned such accusations could jeopardise efforts to resume peace talks with the government.
Fr Sinnott has a history of heart problems and his religious order, the Society of St Columbans, has repeatedly expressed fears about the impact the ordeal would have on his health.
However church leaders and the government have said they would not pay any ransom.
