Bossi: I was  kidnapped by Abus

ROME – Italian Catholic priest Giancarlo Bossi, freed after 39 days of captivity in the Philippines, told Italian authorities Monday Abu Sayyaf terrorists had kidnapped him.

“The abductors were Filipinos with Arab names,” he told investigating anti-terrorist magistrates in a two-hour debriefing, according to official sources.

“There were about 10 of them, some had their faces covered. They described themselves as members of Abu Sayyaf.”

The 57-year-old Bossi returned to Italy late Saturday.

He was released on July 19, 39 days after being kidnapped from his parish in Zamboanga Sibugay on June 10.

He was well treated by his abductors, though he lost weight because of a diet of fish and rice, he added.

Bossi told the magistrates he did not know the circumstances of his liberation.

Magistrates in Rome questioned Bossi as part of an investigation into the kidnapping, a report said.

The investigation was opened to uncover the identities of the kidnappers and the motive behind the abduction, according to the Sky TG24 station.

Bossi has expressed his desire to return to the Philippines, ANSA news agency reported.

He was to appear at the Italian foreign ministry later Monday before traveling to his home region.

The Italian government said no ransom was paid for his release.

Bossi was to meet Pope Benedict XVI on Sept. 1 in Loreto, central Italy, a Vatican spokesman said. —AFP