Phillippines - kidnap

Angry MILF deny priest kidnap

Article published on the 2009-11-04 Latest update 2009-11-04 15:07 TU

Kidnap victim Michael Sinnott in a video released in Manila October 31, 2009.
(Photo: Reuters)

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have reacted angrily to accusations that they kidnapped an elderly Irish priest. A chief negotiator for the group said that accusations they took Father Michael Sinnott were unacceptable and could stand in the way of government peace talks.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno blamed MILF for the kidnapping on October 11. Officials say intelligence reports point to rogue MILF elements being behind the kidnapping.

But Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF peace negotiator, told reporters that “if Puno does not stop, we are considering stopping our help to the rescue effort.”

The unknown kidnappers released a video last weekend in which Father Sinnott outlined demands for a ransom of one-and-a-half-million euros, which authorities and his order have rejected.

Two police companies of around 100 men each have been deployed to the Lanao region of Mindanao to look for Sinnott.