The abduction of Fr. Michael Sinnot in Pagadian City on October 11, 2009 is an act of utter savagery, which is diametrically opposed to the tenets of Islam and Christianity. This has no place under a democratic and civilized society.
As we join in the vehement condemnation of Fr. Sinnot’s abduction in the highest terms, we are very much saddened by the fact that, albeit huge funds appropriated by Congress for security, intelligence and national defense, the government has remained inefficient to protect and preserve the safety of the citizenry, whether Muslim or Christian. The abduction of Fr. Sinnot is a classic example of this, as it had happened at the very heart of the city where law enforcers have their routine patrols.
Fr. Michael Sinnot is an Irish priest who is a member of the Missionaries of St. Columban. He had been in the Philippines since the 1980s, serving as missionary. Prior to his abduction he founded and even served as coordinator of the Hangop Kabataan in 2008, a dwelling place for both Muslim and Christian children who need special attention; children with physically and mentally challenged like blind and deaf.
Despite his old age of 79 and his problematic condition, Fr. Sinnot’s friends and peers best know him for being energetic and consistently attentive in all of his undertakings. He is also admired by them for being humble, soft spoken, approachable, kind and caring like a father or a brother.
As we call on the perpetrators for the immediate-unconditional release of Fr. Michael Sinnot, we caution the military and the Philippine National Police to be professional in carrying out their rescue operations to spare the civilian from harm and no “white wash” be involved in the subsequent investigations to identify and apprehend the real perpetrators of this heinous crime. We urge also both the leaders of the Moro and Non-Moro civil society organizations to unite and share their part in the collective work for the immediate and unconditional release of Fr. Michael Sinnot.
Adopted and signed in Cotabato city, this 13th day of October 2009.
The Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS)
KFI Compound, Doña Pilar Street, Poblacion IV
9600 Cotabato City, Philippines
Telefax No.: +63 (064) 421-5420
E-mail: cbcs_04@yahoo.com, secretariat@cbcsi.org
The Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) is a conferential body and network of 168 Moro civil society organizations based and operating in the whole of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan who have converged for the purpose of advocating for peace, human rights and good governance, while collectively empowering the Bangsamoro people in their struggle and aspirations to restore their inalienable right to self determination (RSD) as a people and a nation.
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