Philippines rules out paying ransom for abducted Irish priest

Nov 1, 2009, 4:36 GMT

   Manila - The Philippine government Sunday ruled out paying a 2-million-dollar ransom demanded by kidnappers of an Irish Catholic priest in the country's troubled south.

   Presidential spokesman Cerge Remonde said government security forces were trying to secure the freedom of 79-year-old priest Michael Sinnott.

   'We will do everything to ensure his safe release,' he said. 'We will, however, stick to the international policy of paying no ransom.'

   The country's largest Muslim separatist rebel group was also helping in the effort to free the Sinnott, who underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery in 2005, Remonde said.

   Sinnott was abducted on October 11 from the Columban House in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur province, 890 kilometres south of Manila.

   On Saturday, authorities released a video of Sinnott sent by his kidnappers who demanded 2 million dollars ransom.

   In the video, Sinnott expressed concern about his health since he has been unable to take his medicines regularly.

   The priest also appealed to the Philippine and Irish governments to secure his release.

   Sinnott said his kidnappers were led by a certain Abu Jamdal, but authorities were still verifying the information and trying to determine which group the abductors belong to.

   Sinnott was first assigned in the southern region of Mindanao in 1957, but left the country in 1966. He returned in 1976, and in 1998 established a school for special children in Pagadian City.