PRESS Secretary Cerge Remonde said government forces would be relentless in its efforts to bring to justice the Irish priest Michael Sinnott’s abductors.

Fr. Sinnott was released Thursday before dawn in Zamboanga.

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Malacanang welcomed the safe release of Sinnott and thanked all those responsible for it including the military, police, local crisis management committee, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“We commend Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, and Ambassador (Rafael) Seguis for their respective roles. There should, however, be no let up in the manhunt operations against those responsible,” said Remonde.

He added that a "warm" welcome was accorded Sinnott who was received by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Thursday at the Villamor Airbase before she flew to Tagaytay to attend the 36th Top Level Management Management Conference of the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster sa Pilipinas.

Sinnott was accompanied by Western Mindanao Command head Benjamin Dolorfino, Government chief negotiator with the MILF Rafael Seguis and several Irish officials.

During a short press conference after his courtesy call to the President, the Irish missionary said he intends to return to the country despite his ordeal in the hands of what he described as a rouge group.

Sinnott expressed belief that those who abducted him were not MILF members, which Dolorfino said is being verified by authorities.

Seguis meanwhile said a task force of the MILF helped in the release of the Irish priest and had him turned over to the members of the Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) around 4:25 a.m. Thursday.

Not rescued

He said Sinnott, who was released and not rescued, was given breakfast, medical check up, and debriefing at the Western Mindanao headquarters in Zamboanga before being flown to Manila.

“He is a bit exhausted at this time, but otherwise, he is in good physical and emotional health. More importantly, he is with us once more. Since Fr. Sinnott’s abduction last October 11, ensuring his safe release has been our overriding concern. We have accomplished this goal,” he added.

“Personally, I am very relieved to see Fr. Mick early this morning when I received him from our Joint CCCH. Today marks the culmination of the hard work put in by the members of our Ceasefire Committees who, in coordination with the Crisis Management Committee and the MILF leadership, have demonstrated tremendous teamwork to ensure the success of this undertaking,” Seguis said.

He also acknowledged the efforts of Philippine government-CCCH Chairman Reynaldo Sealana and his counterpart, MILF-CCCH Chairman Toks Ebrahim; the CCCH Secretariat led by Major Jun Sol and Rashid Ladiasan “for a job well done”, and thanked the MILF Peace Panel under Mohagher Iqbal, “for working and cooperating with us through the peace process mechanism.”

Good health

According to Seguis, the newly-freed Irish priest is generally in a good state of health.

To recall, colleagues of Sinnott were calling for his immediate release due to his poor health condition. The Columban missionary underwent a heart bypass operation in Cebu and needs continuous medication.

Sinnott was snatched last October 11 in Columban Missionary House Pagadian City.

The military said the priest was later brought to the boundary of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte.

“I am very happy to inform everyone that after thirty-one days of captivity, Fr. Michael Sinnott has finally been released,” said Seguis.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Annabelle Abaya meanwhile joined “the rejoicing of Sinnott's family, congregation, friends and the Filipino nation over his safe release.”

Abaya lauded the efforts and thanked the Joint Ceasefire Committee of the government and the MILF for working tirelessly together with the Crisis Management Committee.

She also commended the MILF leadership for helping "get Fr. Sinnott out of harm's way."

The "teamwork" displayed by the government and MILF augurs well for peace negotiations, said Abaya.

“I expressed my congratulations to Ambassador Rafael Seguis early this morning when he announced this very happy news...This is a perfect example of how collaboration works when people are talking to one another. Imagine what more we can do together when we get back to the formal peace table.”

Secretary Puno earlier alleged that MILF commander Aloy Al Asree was holding Sinnott. But this was denied by the Moro rebel group.

CBCP