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April 17, 2002
Kidnapped Italian priest escapes from abductors in Philippines
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — Kidnapped Sacred Heart Father Giuseppe Pierantoni was recovered before dawn April 8 after he escaped from his abductors in the southern Philippines.
The Italian priest, who was presented to the media just before noon at the Malacanang presidential palace in downtown Manila, said he "got free from the gang who kidnapped" him, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand.
"I believe after (almost) six months of staying in the forest, (it was) time to escape," Father Pierantoni said. He was kidnapped Oct. 17 from his residence in Dimataling, about 500 miles southeast of Manila.
"I am very, very thankful, very grateful to God, the Filipino government and all the families who really showed solidarity to me," Father Pierantoni said. He especially thanked "Bishop Zacharias Jimenez of Pagadian and his flock for what they did for me."
Father Pierantoni said it was "a miracle of prayer" that he got free "without any harm and particular suffering."
"I'm quite healthy," added the priest, admitting though that he was "still a bit confused and also tired" because he had walked for 12 hours the day before.
Government troops found Father Pierantoni at 2 a.m. in a coconut plantation in Tungawan, in southwest Mindanao, Brig. Gen. Angel Atutubo told UCA News.
Atutubo said Father Pierantoni "lost weight but was in good physical condition when our men found him."
He said three arrested kidnappers provided information that led the task force to the area where the priest was recovered.
Atutubo said the priest's captors may have been forced to abandon him after the task force intensified operations against the kidnap group.
At a press conference in Camp Crame, near Manila, the police chief, Gen. Leandro Mendoza, said Father Pierantoni was turned over to the Italian Embassy and was to undergo "debriefing" sessions in the coming days.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo first announced the priest's recovery in her early morning radio program over three national stations. "Thanks to the Divine Mercy," she said.
Meanwhile, Bishop Jimenez told UCA News that the president's secretary for special concerns, Norberto Gonzalez, had called Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao April 7 saying "the priest's release was imminent."
But the next morning Gonzalez denied the report to Father Pierantoni's colleagues, the bishop said.
"This has been a real game. So many times they have told us one story only to find out later that it wasn't true," he said.
Several false reports on Father Pierantoni's release circulated during his captivity.
Bishop Jimenez, who had been working for the priest's release, said Father Pierantoni was passed from one kidnap group to another after his abduction.
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