Bossi released in Lanao Norte town without ransom - report

One-and-a-half months after his abduction, Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi was released Thursday night and has been brought to a police camp in Zamboanga, radio reports said. Radio dzBB reported before dawn Friday that a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) "renegade" faction released Bossi at 9 p.m. Thursday following "negotiations" led by a former mayor. It cited reports reaching Region 9 police commander Chief Superintendent Jaime Caringal indicating that a former mayor of Basilan province helped in the negotiations. As of 3:30 a.m., Bossi was undergoing medical examinations at the camp. Representatives of the Italian embassy rushed to Camp Cawa-Cawa in Zamboanga City. Initial reports indicated that Bossi appeared gaunt and tired. The reports also said he was sick for a week. The dzBB report said Bossi was released in Karumatan town in Lanao del Norte, following negotiations "facilitated" by former mayor Jimiri of Tuburan town in Basilan. It initially identified the leaders of the "renegade" MILF faction as Commander Idi and Abu Salam. Police claimed no ransom was paid for Bossi’s release. Neither was any demand in exchange for Bossi’s release made public. In an interview, Caringal said was most likely abandoned by his captors. "Maybe, they can't feed him already." Caringal said Bossi appeared to have lost weight, looked tired and hungry. He added that personnel from the Italian embassy and his fellow priests have visited him at Camp Cawa-Cawa. Bossi’s order, the PIME, set a day of prayer for him and for his abductors last July 10, a month after his abduction. Unidentified armed men abducted Bossi in Zamboanga Sibugay province last June 10. No one claimed responsibility for his abduction. Last July 10, Marines searching for Bossi were ambushed in Basilan, and 14 of them were killed. 10 of the slain Marines were beheaded. The incident triggered a row between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), threatening their ongoing peace talks. An international monitoring team is now investigating the Basilan incident. - GMANews.TV