Priest Retrieves Filipino Icon

MANILA — A Filipino priest retrieved a 98-year-old diamond-studded ivory religious statue that ousted ruler Ferdinand E. Marcos and his wife took with them into exile in February, the state-run news agency said today.

The agency said the Rev. Filomeno Bactol, a parish priest in Imelda Marcos’s hometown of Tacloban, secured the release of the statue of the image of the Santo Nino, the Christ Child, from customs authorities in Hawaii. It is believed to be the first item returned to the Philippines after being spirited out of the country by the first couple when they fled.