MANILA, Oct. 11, 2009— An Irish missionary from the Society of St. Columban was kidnapped by still unidentified armed men at the St. Columban Residence in Pagadian City at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Fr. Michael Sinnott was reportedly walking inside the compound after dinner and when three of the convent’s employees were about to close the gate, a man pushed the gate and said he wanted to talk to the priest.

Witnesses said three or four other men immediately entered and took the missionary to a vehicle and brought him to still unknown destination.

The vehicle used by the kidnappers along with the 79-year old priest was later found burned out in the city’s coastal area by local authorities.

Columban’s regional director, Fr. Patrick O’Donoghue said they were “very shocked” because they never expected such an incident would happen inside Pagadian City.

Fr. Sinnott, he said, has been working in the Philippines for the past 40 years.

“He was reassigned to the Philippines in 1980 or 1981,” Fr. O’Donoghue said.

He added he’s worried because Fr. Sinnott has a heart condition and he does not have his medication when he was abducted.

“Pagadian Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar is on his ground and has coordinated with us and other agencies,” the regional superior said.

He further said they have no idea as to the motive of the kidnapping and has not received any ransom demand as of 11:00 P.M. Sunday.

Sources in Pagadian City said the police and the military has been immediately alerted of the incident and have launched pursuit operations immediately. (Wendell Talibong/Melo M. Acuna)