The missionary reveals that he survived on rice and salt and that he intends to quit smoking. Brought to a military camp in Manila, where is awaited by the Philippine President.

Zamboanga (AsiaNews) – “I am well: I survived on rice and salted fish”: he is clearly elated Fr. Giancarlo Bossi, finally free after 39 days of captivity.  “I am happy –he tells AsiaNews – because I have spoken with my family and now I want to return to bid farewell my parishioners in Payoa, before I return to Italy”.  Just a few words, before he is whipped off for a medical visit in the military camp of  Zamboanga, then a flight to Manila where he is awaited by President Gloria Macapal Arroyo.

“I am well, and I have decided to not smoke anymore even though before I was a chain smoker”.  Strong emotions and joy; these are the feelings which Fr. Luciano Benedetti who refers that: “Fr. Bossi was delivered to general Caringal, West-Mindanao chief of police who ordered his immediate transfer to the military camp in Zamboanga”. The work of the Philippine police was fundamental in bringing about the Italian missionary’s release, which followed the case step by step, thanks to direct contact with the abductors.  Contrary to the rumours of recent days Fr. Bossi never left the area of the kidnap.  From what has been gathered the abductors were a group of local criminals without any direct links to MILF or the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, linked to Al Qaeda, even if in the past some of the group had contacts with the terrorists.

 “Our happiness at our confrere’s release – confides Fr. Benedetti – is overshadowed only by the knowledge that Fr. Bossi will not be able to return to his parish in Payao.  We know well how much he loved those people and how greatly his love was returned by the community Christian and Muslim, but the risk is too high to allow him go back”. (DS)

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