AFP verifying MILF report that Bossi kept in Lanao del Norte

By Ronron
June 20, 2007

The Army troops tasked to rescue kidnapped Italian Catholic priest Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi in Mindanao are verifying reports from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that the 57-year-old victim and his captors are in a mountain village in Lanao del Norte province.

“The latest development we have is we are checking a particular area, Barangay Sapad, Nunungan town, in Lanao del Norte, because it was reported that the kidnappers are there,” Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, government chairman in the GRP-MILF Adhoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG, told reporters Wednesday afternoon.

Dolorfino said this was the information conveyed to him last Tuesday afternoon, his last contact, by his counterpart with the MILF, Atty. Abdul Dataya.

The information, which allegedly came from local residents, also revealed that the number of kidnappers has reduced to 13 from 15. The information suggests that five are Maranao Moslems, two are Maguindanaoans, and six are Kulibugans.

“The last sighting is being validated by the intelligence team. That is where the effort of the Army unit there is focused,” Dolorfino said.

Asked if it is feasible to bring Bossi to Lanao del Norte from Zamboanga Sibugay where he was snatched last June 10, Dolorfino said; “It is possible, both by land and sea transportations.”

He said they do not know where the two other kidnappers had gone to.

On Thursday last week, Dolorfino said Bossi and his 15-man captors were sighted in Barangay Mamagun, Naga town, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Bossi was abducted from Payao town in the morning of June 10 while he was on his way to officiate mass.

The negotiations for his release, which is being conducted by MILF Bangasmoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) commander Mohammad Nasif, hit a snag since Monday due to a problem Dolorfino called as “something internal with the MILF.”

The negotiations have yet to resume on Wednesday, said MILF public information officer Mohagher Iqbal.

“At present, the effort is to really locate and cordon off that particular area, where the kidnappers cannot really move,” Dolorfino said.

Admitting the uncertainty as to the specific location of the victim and his captors, Iqbal said it follows that no one can really tell when the crisis will be resolved.

It can be recalled that last Sunday, Dolorfino expressed eagerness about the possible resolution of the case within 48 hours from that day after receiving information that the location of Bossi and his abductors was already traced by MILF forces.

Asked about the condition of Bossi, Dolorfino said: “Our latest information is he is already weak, that he has a high blood (pressure). But we don’t know if he is taking medicine.”

Both Dolorfino and Iqbal claimed that they have no validated information that the suspects have already demanded ransom in exchange for Bossi’s release.

Bossi started serving in Payao town as parish priest in April of this year, the police had said./DMS