A TOP police official said one of the six Moro rebels implicated in the kidnapping of Fr. Michael Sinnott is also involved in the abduction of an Italian priest two years ago.
Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (Dipo)-West Director Felizardo Serapio said Wanning Abdusalam has a standing warrant of arrest for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of Fr. Gian Carlo Bossi.
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Bossi, 59, a member of the Pontificio Istituto Missioni Estere (Pime) was kidnapped on June 10, 2007 in the town of Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Bossi was released after 39 days in captivity in a secluded place in Karomatan town, which is now known as Sultan Naga Dimaporo municipality in Lanao del Norte.
Abdusalam was identified by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as among the six Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leaders who may have involvement or knowledge in the kidnapping of Sinnott, a member of the Mission Society of Saint Columban (MSSC).
Six gunmen kidnapped Sinnott in the evening of October 11 from the MSSC compound in Gatas District, Pagadian City, the capital of Zamboanga del Sur.
Serapio did not disclose who the other suspects are, except in saying that Abdusalam is one of those charged in court in connection with the kidnapping of Bossi in Zamboanga Sibugay province.
Meanwhile, Zamboanga del Sur Governor Aurora Cerilles said they still don't have any communication with the kidnappers of Sinnott.
The government activated Friday an Area Crisis Management Committee (ACMC) and an Executive Committee (Execom) to work for the speedy recovery of Sinnott from the hands of his captors.
A Crisis Management Committee (CMC) was also created in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur where Sinnott is believed to be held captive by his abductors.