No sighting of kidnapped Italian ex-priest

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Authorities said they have not yet sighted former Italian priest turned businessman kidnapped by a still unidentified group in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

Military and police forces continue to comb all suspected escape routes and harbor areas where Rolando del Torchio, 56, was believed to have been taken, said Police Chief Superintendent Miguel Antonio, director of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO).

Antonio, who was in Dipolog City Friday, said they are gathering all leads on the abduction of del Torchio.

“There is no sighting yet of the whereabouts of the victim but we are gathering all the leads that will help us track down and rescue the victim the soonest possible time,” Antonio said.

Del Torchio was forcibly abducted inside his Ur Choice Bistro Pizza Café along Quezon Avenue, Barangay Miputak in the downtown of Dipolog City Wednesday by ten gunmen pretending as customers.

READ: Gunmen abduct Italian ex-priest in Dipolog City

The getaway van abandoned by the suspects in the nearby boulevard was recovered hours later.

According to Antonio, the police did not receive a ransom demand yet from del Torchio's abductors.

“There was no contact yet from the abductors of del Torchio," Antonio said.