Official Statement On The Release Of Fr. Michael Sinnot

OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF GRP PEACE PANEL CHAIRMAN RAFAEL E. SEGUIS November 12, 2009 I am very happy to inform everyone that after thirty-one days of captivity, Fr. Michael Sinnott has finally been released. He is a bit exhausted at this time, but otherwise, he is in good physical and emotional health. More importantly, he is with us once more. Since Fr. Sinnott’s abduction last October 11, ensuring his safe release has been our overriding concern. We have accomplished this goal. At around 4:25 AM today, Fr. Sinnott was turned over to the GRP-MILF Joint Ceasefire Committee by elements of the MILF unit which was ordered earlier by its leadership to help in the release effort. Personally, I am very relieved to see Fr. Mick early this morning when I received him from our Joint CCCH. Today marks the culmination of the hard work put in by the members of our Ceasefire Committees who, in coordination with the Crisis Management Committee and the MILF leadership, have demonstrated tremendous teamwork to ensure the success of this undertaking. To our GRP-CCCH Chairman MGen. Reynaldo Sealana; his counterpart, MILFCCCH Chairman Toks Ebrahim; the CCCH Secretariat Heads Maj. Jun Sol and Rashid Ladiasan; and the other members of their team – we commend you all for a job well done. I also wish to thank and congratulate our counterparts in the MILF Peace Panel, especially Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal, for working and cooperating with us through the peace process mechanism. Fr. Sinnott’s release is indeed a triumph for all of us who have worked tirelessly and prayed unceasingly so that he may once again regain his freedom.###