Father Giancarlo Bossi has lived in the Philippines for more than 20 years. He was kidnapped on June 10th, while on his way to celebrate mass in the Zamboanga Sibuguay province on the south-western tip of the island of Mindanao.

He was released on Thursday night, after being held as a hostage for six weeks. Speaking at a news conference in a police camp in Zamboanga city, the 57-year-old priest said that despite all that had happened; he wanted to go back to the Payao town where he had been ministering to the people. Bossi said his heart was still in Payao. And he feels like a father who has to go back to his children.

Six weeks ordeal

Talking about his ordeal, he said that his kidnappers always treated him fairly and never threatened to kill him. However, he had problems with the food offered to him -- salted fish and rice -- and he had lost a lot of weight. On the other hand, he managed to quit smoking in an effort to keep fit.

The missionary reported that his kidnappers had told him that they seized him only in order to get a handsome ransom. But Father Bossi retained a positive attitude towards them and would pray for them every night. His prayers were wishing for his kidnappers to go home to their families so they would be able to live together in peace.

No ransom paid

Authorities firmly stated that no ransom was paid. Instead, Interior Secretary Renaldo Puno said that a massive manhunt by police and the military helped to build up pressure on the kidnappers and eventually forced them to give up. He explained that the idea was to prevent the movements of the kidnappers as much as possible.

Puno was convinced that the hunt by the security forces was a success because it had eventually led to the release of Bossi, adding that the kidnappers were basically looking for a way to free the missionary in a peaceful way and to avoid being harmed or arrested.

Father Bossi says the kidnappers identified themselves as being associated with Abu Sayyaf, a small Philippine terrorist group known for kidnappings, bombings and beheadings. But the military said he was kidnapped by a breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF, Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group which is currently holding peace talks with the government.

Violent manhunt

Efforts to find Father Bossi turned violent this month when 14 Philippine marines looking for him were killed with ten of them being beheaded. The violence was seen by many as a threat to the peace process. Father Bossi was crying when he told the press that he felt he was responsible for the marines’ deaths.

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo met with Father Bossi in Manila on Friday and said that the nation was very relieved and rejoicing in his safe release.

Authorities say Father Bossi won his freedom after long negotiations involving a former local mayor and the kidnappers. They say the search for his abductors continues.