Dublin: An Irish Catholic priest kidnapped in the Philippines a month ago has been freed unharmed and neither country paid any ransom, Irish and Filipino authorities announced.
Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said the Rev Michael Sinnott "displayed great forbearance ... in spite of his age and difficult health."
"He is clearly a man of great resilience, strength and courage and we wish him well as he seeks to recover from such a trying ordeal," said Irish President Mary McAleese, who called Sinnott`s freedom the answer to the shared prayers of millions in both countries.
And Prime Minister Brian Cowen said the government would help the 79-year-old priest enjoy "a speedy reunion with his family and friends”.
Six armed men abducted the 79-year-old priest on October 11 from his missionary home on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, escaped by speedboat, and took him into the jungle.
Officials had feared that Sinnott could suffer a fatal heart attack because he was still recovering from heart-bypass surgery. Rumours persisted that he had died in captivity
The senior military commander in Mindanao, Major Gen Benjamin Dolorfino, confirmed that Sinnott was being debriefed by Filipino hostage-rescue specialists in a military camp.
Bureau Report
