Italian man kidnapped in Southern Philippines

(AGI) Rome, Oct. 7 - An Italian restaurant owner was kidnappedby armed men in Dipolog City, in southern Philippines. Rolandodel Torchio, a former missionary man, was reportedly abductedfrom his own pizzeria. Dapitan Police Chief Divin Cerialesconfirmed the kidnapping, the Mindanao Examiner wrote. "Iimmediately put the Dapitan City police force in full alertconsidering that Dapitan could be used as the kidnappers'escape route," Ceriales said. The 56-year-old was seized bysix or seven men, according to InterAksyon.com. Some of themhad ordered a pizza, pretending to be customers. The victim wasforced to board a minivan that was waiting outside thepizzeria, UrChoice, located inside the Andres Bonifacio Collegein the village of Miputak, Dipolog. The kidnappers wereseen moving the man to a motorboat and departing towardsManukan town, Captain Roy Trinidad, a military spokesman, said.He added that the kidnappers are believed to be heading to Jolotown. According to the website Rappler.com, Del Torchiowas born in the town of Angera, northern Italy, and ordained apriest in 1984. In 1988, he was assigned to the Philippines, inthe Muslim-dominated Sibuco town, Zamboanga del Norte. Hestayed there until 1996. He then moved to Dipolog and workedwith a non-governmental organisation that helped farmers. . .