Abus free Italian; P130 M paid?

MANILA, Philippines -  Italian former priest Rolando del Torchio was released by Abu Sayyaf bandits and recovered by government security forces last night in Jolo, Sulu, reportedly after payment of P130 million in ransom. 

Supt. Wilfredo Cayat, Sulu police provincial commander, reported that they recovered Del Torchio at about 7:30 p.m. when the priest-turned-restaurant owner was already on the boat KC Beatrice bound for Zamboanga City.

Cayat’s team was backed by the Coast Guard, maritime police, the Anti-Kidnapping Group and Joint Task Force Sulu in the recovery efforts.

It was not clear if Del Torchio had companions or who had tipped off the authorities about his presence in the boat.

Del Torchio was in poor health and brought to the military trauma hospital at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Busbos, Jolo, for medical treatment.

Intelligence reports showed that Del Torchio was released by his kidnappers after a series of negotiations that ended in the payment of the P130-million ransom, an informed source told The STAR.

Del Torchio was kidnapped in his Ur Choice Bistro Pizza along Quezon Avenue, Barangay Miputak in downtown Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte last Oct. 7. Ten gunmen pretending to be customers barged into his restaurant and took him away.