Irish priest kidnapped in Philippines released by MILF

[Bucky]

Source: Christian Science Monitor

Irish priest kidnapped in Philippines released by MILF

Filipino militants released an elderly Irish priest late on Wednesday night after holding him in captivity for 32 days. Father Michael Sinnott had worked in the Philippines for nearly 33 years when six armed gunmen kidnapped him from a gated compound in Pagadian City on Oct. 11. He was released into the custody of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which turned him over to government authorities on Thursday morning.

Although militants released a video in November in which Fr. Sinnott said his captors would release him in exchange for $2 million, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs says that he was released without any ransom payments.

Michael Martin, Ireland's foreign affairs minister told reporters that refusing to pay any ransom was in line with his country's policy to discourage future kidnappings, reports the Guardian. Paying kidnappers would set a precedent that endangers Irish citizens and "jeopardised the vital work of aid workers and missionaries around the world," he said.

According to a high-ranking member of MILF, the rebel group acted as an intermediary between the kidnappers and the government as a goodwill gesture to show their commitment to peace, reports The Philippine Star. Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF's vice chairman of political affairs, added that his organization would help bring the kidnappers to justice and "expressed disappointment" in response to claims that the abduction had been carried out by a rogue, MILF splinter group.

"The MILF is a mass-based organization with an objective, and it won't commit an act that would tarnish its reputation. In fact, the MILF always wants to project a good image not only within the Philippines but also in the entire world," Jaafar said.

Filipino police and military authorities later identified Sinnott's captors as part of a pirate band that eventually turned the priest over to a rogue element of MILF, reports Tempo, a Filipino newspaper.



Read more: http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1112/p99s01-duts.html

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This is why priests take a vow of.... poverty. So they can't pay off their MILF captors

[Buzz Clik]

1. You're making this too easy.

Yeah, I'd like to be held prisoner by a MILF ... er

MILF

.

[T Wolf]

10. Even if you were a priest - with that celibacy vow and all? nt

[mac56]

2. self delete

self delete

[trumad]

3. I'd stay kidnapped.

[CreekDog]

4. Who writes this stuff?

[Renew Deal]

5. You're either with us or the MILF's!

[Bonobo]

6. If those guys want anyone to take them seriously....

I think they better think of a new name.

Maybe W.I.N.O. or something... Wait, scratch that one too!

[Greyskye]

7. Worst terrorist group acronym - EVER.

[comtec]

8. T.E.A. B.A.G

GOD I miss Morning Sedition

[bertman]

9. You guys are killing me!!! All my office compadres want to know what's so funny.

[Soylent Brice]

11. this whole thread is a DUzy.

[Mr. Sparkle]

12. thats an unfortunate acronym

but it's funny none the less.

[montanto]

13. Hmmm. There's a joke in there somewhere . . .

[Bucky]

14. You mean if he got a full release? Or how much he was manipulated by the MILF while they held him?

I'm just glad this story had a happy ending.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

15. Approves

[Algorem]

16. MILF wanted to torture the priest but he said he wasn't into that

[skoalyman]

18. Milf it does the body good.

[nradisic]

17. Words fail me...

Hilarious...

[liberal N proud]

19. Somewhere in there past all the MILF's there is a news story

[lurky]

20. MILF recruiting young Phillipino men.

Lured by the promise of adventure and a passage to manhood, youths from all over the islands have sought entry. Sworn to secrecy, those who survive the demanding initiation are taken to an intensive, week-long retreat where they are given endurance training and taught the specialized techniques of MILF operatives. Once admitted to the MILF, recruits are returned to society to blend in and await further instructions. "You may get the call next week, or you may never hear back again. You must be prepared to leap to action to serve the MILF whenever and however you are asked," said a former recruit who requested anonymity.

In related news:
MILF releases video with missing priests: Bound and blindfolded, they plead for mercy and forgiveness in latest Internet clip.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jfkraus]

22. Sarah Palin has not denied being MILF

[cosmicone]

23. Got MILF? n/t

[Arugula Latte]

24. Sadly, after being rescued by MILF, he was attacked by a Cougar.

[Odin2005]

25. Oh god, I know it's horribly childish and immature, but I can't stop giggling.

[Alamuti Lotus]

26. Could this thread be any more retarded?

[madaboutharry]

27. Locking

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madaboutharry
DU moderator