Santosh Digal

The heads of the armed forces authorize MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) rebels to support the crisis unit set up for the release of Irish missionary who has been 18 days in the hands of kidnappers.

The spokesman of the Diocese of Pagadian announces that the missionary is alive but that his health is deteriorating. Abductors’ identity is still unknown.

Thanks to a group of volunteers over a hundred children between four and six years from poor areas of the province of Bangalan (North of Manila) have the opportunity to receive the tools for a proper education.

Muslim leaders say the abduction of the Irish priest is “contrary to the principles of Islam”; urge media to avoid exploiting the Islamic religion.

In Pagadian Muslims, Christians and Animists are asked to pray for the clergyman’s release. Fr Sinnott has been in his captors for more than a week, but there are confusing reports about where he is being held. The missionary involved in the liberation of Fr Giancarlo Bossi warns about the role of fake mediators.

So far the death toll is at 375 and villages are reachable only by rescue helicopter. In the provinces of Pangasinan and Benguet, the Church distributes aid to more than 1,000 displaced families. Maoist rebels and the army have announced a temporary ceasefire to step up aid efforts.

For the police the Irish missionary was delivered to Latip Jamat, MILF leader in Lanao del Norte. But AsiaNews sources will not confirm this. Filipino bishops: we pray for the health of Fr. Sinnott and for his release. Columban Missionaries exclude the possibility of paying a ransom.

Police and military spotted Fr Michael Sinnott, abducted in Pagadian on Saturday. Church calls for caution in blaming Islamic groups for the abduction.

Police and soldiers are working together to free Fr Michael Sinnott who was abducted late Saturday in Pagadian as he recited Vespers. No terrorist group has claimed responsibility so far.

Over 300 women of Payatas dump find jobs with the help of young Catholics graduates.

60% of the province of Pangasinan is submerged by water. In the villages most affected in the region of Cordillera few houses remain standing. Sr. Bejer, of the Diocese of Urdaneta, “Church buildings have been converted into shelters for the displaced."

Every day the students from 15 Catholic institutions distribute food and basic necessities to the population affected by the storm Ketsana. Over 375 thousand people are still in emergency shelters; damage to agriculture and infrastructure amounts to 93 million euros. The government admits "gross negligence" in the management of assistance.