Fr. Teresito “Chito” Suganob pleads for help in a video that circulated online a week after his abduction. Reports from Melo Acuña / CBCP News
MANILA— After being held hostage by terrorist gunmen for nearly four months, Fr. Teresito “Chito” Suganob has finally been rescued.
Government security forces were recovered the priest along with another hostage near a mosque in Bato, Marawi City on Saturday night, Sept. 16.
“He was rescued with another individual at about 11pm Saturday,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza told CBCPNews.
Mr. Dureza would not release other details because military operations are still going on hoping to rescue other hostages.
Suganob along with a number of civilians were abducted by the Islamic State-inspired Maute group last May 23 when they launched an attack on Marawi City including the St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Bishop Edwin dela Pena of Marawi, who is currently in Rome to address a conference with Cardinal Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Archbishop Martin Jumoad of Ozamiz has lauded the safe release of the hostages, saying that their “liberation is the result of our faith in prayer”.
“So many are praying for his freedom. So many Masses are celebrated for that intention,” Jumoad said. “The power of prayer is once again shown as a witness of our solid faith in God.” WITH REPORTS FROM ROY LAGARDE/CBCPNews
