The army confirms that it has restarted collaboration with Moro Islamic Liberation Front separatists, disbanded for technical reasons. Clarifications of an appeal.

Zamboanga (AsiaNews) – Collaboration between the Philippine army and Moro Islamic Liberation Front separatists, has resumed in the search for Fr. Giancarlo Bossi, missionary from the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, abducted in the southern island of Mindanao June 10th last.  

The search had been called off due to “technical problems”.  As each year, in fact the mandate for the Common action group instituted by Manila and the rebel leaders had expired.  Either way, explains Fr. Sandolo – regional superior for PIME in the Philippines – to AsiaNews this interruption “is of no particular concern.  There is real commitment from all sides to resolving this case; this is merely a technical hiccup”. 

Military sources confirm the reports adding “we have requested complete cooperation from local authorities in Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Nunungan and Salvador, to help us locate to locate the kidnapped missionary”.

In the meantime, messages of solidarity are pouring in for the priest.  Among them the Liberation Appeal, addressed “above all to the kidnappers, for the immediate and unconditional release of Fr. Bossi, secondly to all competent authorities, in the hope that every possible step is taken to insure the hostages release.”. The appeal was originally attributed to PIME missionaries in the Philippines.  But as can be read in the PIME Philippine Blog dedicated to Fr. Bossi, “it is not a PIME Philippines initiative. It is simple a link sent to us and while we share its concern for Fr. Giancarlo Bossi’s release we do not share its political opinions”.

 

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