COTABATO CITY—Gunmen holding Italian priest Fr. Giancarlo Bossi have implied through a text message that their captive is still alive.

The authorities, however, are still verifying the gunmen’s claim.

Brig. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino, who heads nonmilitary efforts to free the 57-year-old Bossi, said a Maranao-emissary from Lanao called him by telephone twice on Tuesday to say that Bossi is still alive based on the latest text message from the kidnappers.

The emissary he is referring to also helped in the negotiation of previous kidnappings in the region. “We have been talking since June 22. He has direct contacts with the kidnappers. Based on the latest information he received from the kidnappers, the priest is still alive,” Dolorfino said.

He said that in 2002, the emissary, who is from academe, helped negotiate for the release of Italian priest Fr. Guiseppe Pierantoni who was kidnapped by suspected Pentagon gang kidnappers in Dimataling, Zamboanga del Sur.

“Hopefully we could establish direct contact with the kidnappers. We will know all about Bossi’s condition when we establish contact with them,” Dolorfino said.

He said no ransom has been discussed, but the contact asked for money to buy medicines for Bossi, who suffers from hypertension.

Dolorfino said Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels, who are helping free Bossi, continue to concentrate their forces in the area where the priest is believed to be held.

“I am looking forward to establishing direct contact with the kidnappers,” he said.

Bossi, who is from Milan, Italy, was snatched in Zamboanga Sibugay, on June 10 while on his way to celebrate Mass. --With R. Acosta, Bong Garcia Jr.

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