Bossi returns to Zamboanga

MANILA, Philippines - Eight months after he was released by his abductors, Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi has returned to Zamboanga province. An article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website Wednesday said Bossi arrived in Zamboanga City around 6 a.m. Tuesday aboard a Philippine Airlines flight. The 57-year old Bossi returned to the Philippines on January 28 after a six-month vacation in his homeland. On June 2007, at least 10 armed men believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group abducted Bossi in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay and held him for more than a month before releasing him. The report said Bossi went to the office of Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Valles for a courtesy call. He, however, failed to meet the prelate, who was then attending a meeting. Bossi returned to Valles' office Wednesday morning but still failed to meet the prelate as the latter was attending a graduation ceremony in one of the city’s Catholic schools. The Italian priest is staying at the regional house of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Mission (PIME), also based in the city. - GMANews.TV