Philippines kidnap gangster captured

Officials in the Philippines say they have captured a suspect in the kidnapping of an Italian priest.

Military officials said the suspect was arrested on the main southern island of Mindanao and was being questioned by investigators.

The priest, Giuseppe Peirantoni, was abducted last Wednesday in Dimataling town in Zamboanga del Sur province.

A military commander said negotiations were under way for his release.

Officials said the kidnappers are believed to be rebels belonging to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

They say the rebels are demanding an unspecified amount of ransom for the release of the priest. The MILF, which has been fighting for a separate Muslim state in the south for 30 years, this week signed an agreement on implementing a ceasefire pact with the government

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service