Published Thursday, 12 November 2009
Fr Michael Sinnott is resting in a health centre after being handed over to police and government officials shortly before dawn.
After being greeted by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at a Manila airport, a smiling Sinnott, dressed in a clean shirt, told reporters: "Because I am a bit old and I found hiking a bit difficult at times, I think that they'd be glad to kidnap a younger man next time.
"For the first 10 days we were in a swampy area. It was a small place. I could not walk around. I was just sleeping on the hammock or sitting, doing nothing else.
"They did their best to make things as easy as possible for me."
The 79-year-old missionary was abducted from his gated compound in Pagadian City on the island of Mindanao on October 11th.
The Wexford cleric, who has a serious heart problem, is recovering from his ordeal in the city of Zamboanga in the southern region of the island.
Father Pat O'Donoghue, regional director of the Columban Fathers in the Asian islands, said he was grateful, joyful and thankful for his peaceful release.
"I trust the people who are with him and they told me he is in good health and is resting," said an emotional Fr O'Donoghue.
"We hope we can bring him to his own doctor for a complete check up.
"I'm very grateful to all the people who prayed and tried everything possible to make sure this happened peacefully. We thank God."
Irish President Mary McAleese led tributes to the cleric.
"He is clearly a man of great resilience, strength and courage and we wish him well as he seeks to recover from such a trying ordeal," said the President.