Missing Philippine priest found alive

Father Leoben Peregrino has been left traumatized by his ordeal. Photo: UCAN/supplied

MANILA (UCAN): Father Leoben Peregrino, who disappeared on April 1, was found unconscious and tied up in his car on April 3 after being reported missing, said police who suspect he was the victim of a kidnap attempt.

The 58-year-old priest was last seen around lunchtime that day getting into his white sports utility vehicle in the town of Rosario in Cavite province, south of Manila. He was supposed to be going to buy candles in the nearby town of Imus.

However, parishioners and members of his family said he failed to return to the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Rosario.

Father Peregrino was found with his hands and feet tied by a passerby in the nearby town of Silang. He was rushed to the nearest hospital where was recovering from his ordeal.

Police, who had yet to interview Father Peregrino at the time of going to press, said the case could have been a kidnap for ransom.

“We are still looking at various angles but the evidence points to kidnapping because Father Peregrino was taken against his will,” Cavite police spokesperson Robert Cerelos told reporters.

He said police do not have much to go yet on regarding possible suspects as investigators had yet to speak to the priest because the ordeal had left him traumatised.

“Only he can tell us what happened. Hopefully, he can tell us the facts including the identity of the culprit,” Celeros added.

Father Peregrino’s family has appealed for witnesses to come forward and help the police.

Joel Peregrino, the priest’s brother, thanked those who prayed for Father Peregrino’s safety. “We thank you for your prayers. He is alive … This is more than a blessing to us all,” he said on social media.

Father Peregrino’s parishioners said they were shocked by the incident.

“If they can do this to our parish priest, how much more can they do to ordinary citizens like ourselves?” one parishioner, Cora Jalmanzar, asked.