Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles has expressed sadness over a new incident of kidnapping in Zamboanga del Sur Sunday evening.

In a phone interview with ABS-CBN Zamboanga, Valles said, "It is sad to note that they (bandits) are still there and another kidnapping has happened again."
 
On Sunday, police reported the abduction of Fr. Michael Sinnott, 78 years old, an Irish national from the Colomban house located in Gatas district, Pagadian City.

Reports said that there were at least 6 armed men who stormed the missionary's home and forcibly boarded the priest into a mini-van with plate number GBL-687 and headed towards Sta. Lucia.  

The abductors abandoned the vehicle and fled on a pump boat.

Reports also said that some fishermen saw the kidnappers go to the direction of the town of Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur.
 
Valles said kidnappers have always thought they could earn from kidnapping foreign priests, but he is saddened to think that these perpetrators don't realize foreign missionaries are a great help for the Archdiocese and the people, particularly in the provinces.

The military is now tracking down the kidnappers of Sinnott.

In 2007, Italian priest Gian Carlo Bossi was also abducted in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay. -- by Jewel Reyes, ABS-CBN Zamboanga