Priest missing, feared abducted in Mindanao

A Roman Catholic priest has been reportedly missing and feared abducted in Misamis Oriental, northern Mindanao.

Father Lucio Bula, 46, last reported returning to his hometown of Balingasag for a Christmas vacation on December 31. He has not been seen or heard from since.

Authorities said they were looking into the disappearance of Father Bula. The priest's family had asked for help but could not say if he had been kidnapped.

A source from Archdiocese of Cagayan De Oro said it had been informed of the disappearance of Bula and it’s deeply concerned that he is missing.

Kidnapping of Catholic priests is common in the southern Philippines mostly carried out by the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf extremists. (HG)