Freed Italian hostage not open to tell the tale

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Tired and gaunt, freed captive former Italian priest Rolando del Torchio asked for cigarette to stay calm and said he wanted to set aside his experience from captivity of the Abu Sayyaf group, according to military official.

Del Torchio arrived Saturday morning here aboard a navy multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) from Jolo where he was freed Friday night by his Abu Sayyaf captors reportedly after payment of P29 million ransom.

The priest-turned-restaurant owner, escorted by personnel of the police's Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), was brought to Camp Navarro General Hospital (CNGH) at Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) about 7a.m. for medical check-up.

Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of Westmincom, said the military doctors declared the freed captive in stable condition but has lost weight and appears tired.

“He was saying he was tired and he wants to rest. He wants to set aside his bad experience,” Tan said when he asked Del Torchio of possible media interview.

According to Tan, Del Torchio said he is happy to be free and wants to see his family.

“Humingi siya ng cigarette to calm. Perhaps he did not have it for so long time while in captivity,” Tan added.

After the medical check-up, Del Torchio was turned over to the custody of the AKG who accompanied him going to Manila aboard a private plane.

The military official identified the Abu Sayyaf group as responsible for Del Torchio's captivity. 

Tan declined to provide other operational details which Del Torchio disclosed during the debriefing as this may preempt any operation on the ground.

He also could not provide information as to how the victim was freed and could not confirm whether or not a ransom was paid.

“That will be answered by the AKG. The role of the AFP is to facilitate the safe transfer of the victim. The AFP strictly adhered the no ransom policy,” Tan said.

But sources on the ground revealed that the Abu Sayyaf group demanded P30 million but only P29 million was raised for the release of the victim.

Tan also explained that the recovery came after the AKG was reportedly tipped about the release of Del Torchio which prompted the authorities to conduct the search.

“They found Fr. Del Torchio alone aboard M/V Beatrice,” Tan said.

Kidnap victim turned over to Abu Sayyaf

Tan revealed that a kidnap-for-ransom group (KFRG) which operates in Zamboanga City was responsible for the abduction of Del Torchio.

Del Torchio was abducted last October 7 inside his pizza house in Dipolog City by the KFRG Muloc group, under Julmin Muloc alias Kumander Red Eye. The former Italian priest was then turned over to the Abu Sayyaf group under sub-leader Iddang Susukan.

Meanwhile, Tan said there are no reports yet about other kidnap victims, including Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Filipino Marites Flor and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, among others.

The military official said the Westmincom continuously conducts focused military operation for the safe recovery of the victims.

“The more that our troops right now are intensifying the operation with the release of the victim,” Tan said.

The military official said they are not bothered by the Friday deadline imposed by the Abu Sayyaf group against the safety of the kidnap victims taken from Samal Island off Davao province.

“The deadline set by the Abu Sayyaf is their deadline, it is not ours. From the very start we don’t look at deadline as the operation continued,” he said.