The European Union (EU) said on Friday that it is hoping for the safe and immediate release of kidnapped Irish priest Fr. Michael Sinnott.

EU Ambassador Alistair MacDonald said amid his reservations to comment on the issue, he expressed the European Commission delegation’s hopes that Sinnott will be freed by his unidentified abductors soon.

“These are too delicate circumstances. We certainly wouldn’t say anything. We very much hope for the immediate and safe release of Fr. Sinnott,” he said, shortly after the signing ceremony of the P95-million grant agreements which seek to boost capacities of the civil-society groups in promoting human rights and democratic reforms at the EC office, RCBC Plaza building in Makati City.

While it expressed concern over the Sinnott’s abduction in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur last Sunday, MacDonald stressed that EU will not engage in a negotiation with the Muslim rebels who were being eyed to have a hand in the kidnapping of the 78-year- old Irish Columban priest.

MacDonald urged the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to ensure the safety of the clergy just in case some members of its group were found to have been behind the abduction.
 
“(Reports said) Fr. Sinnott may be held by some MILF groups if that’s the case, I very much hope that the MILF would be able to ensure that Fr. Sinnott is safe,” he said. The priest reportedly has heart problems.

Malacañang earlier said it is seeing the hand of either the Abu Sayyaf Group or the special operations group of the MILF in the kidnapping.

President Arroyo had ordered the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to immediately deploy special operatives who will secure the release of Sinnott.