Military checks report on missing missionary

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The military is now coordinating with the police to verify reports of a British missionary who have been missing for two weeks now in Bukidnon province in southern Philippines, according to official yesterday.

Reports quoting Christian Today, said that Pastor David Brass reportedly went missing after visiting a friend in the province since Nov. 22 and was believed to be abducted by an unidentified group. Brass, a missionary of the Baptist church is temporarily residing in La Libertad village in Butuan City.

But Maj. Samuel Sagun, spokesman of the 4th Infantry Army Diamond Division based in Northern Mindanao areas, said they have not received reports of any abduction incident or heard of a missing foreigner so far.

“It has not been reported here either, but we are now coordinating with the police to verify that incident and possibly locate that missing missionary,” Sagun said.

The reported missing of Brass triggered apprehensions that he may have been taken captive by armed groups citing previous incidents when kidnappers operating in southern Philippines abducted Italian priest Fr. Giancarlo Bossi early this year.

“As of now we can not declare any official report since there was no information of his case. What we are doing as of the moment is investigate the veracity of the case,” Sagun said.