Gov’t Forces Rescue Maute-Abducted Priest Fr Chito Suganub, CBCP Thanks President Duterte, AFP

The government forces have rescued Catholic priest, Father Teresito "Chito" Suganub from the hands of the terrorist Maute group on Saturday, September 16, 2017. This is according to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, who first made the announcement via his Facebook page on Sunday morning.




Citing former Iligan City mayor and now Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corporation (PHIVIDEC) Industrial Authority Administrator and CEO, Atty. Franklin M. Quijano, Dureza said that Fr. Suganub was rescued at 11 p.m. Saturday, along with another person near Bato Mosque, one of the main strongholds of the Maute terrorists.

According to Dureza, Bato Mosque is the second grand mosque in Marawi that has been taken over by the military troops. On Saturday, Col. Edgard Arevalo, chief of the Public Affairs Office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, revealed that Joint Task Force Marawi have recovered the said mosque and the Amaitul Islamiya Marawi Foundation (JIMF).

This latest development in the Marawi crisis comes as the government forces are making its advanced position over the enemies. Also on Saturday, Task Group Ranao deputy commander Colonel Romeo Brawner said the troops have already recovered 23 heavily guarded structures, and that the terrorists are now in their final “defensive position.”

The Maute group abducted Fr. Chito Suganub from St. Mary's Parish church last May 23, along with other parish workers. Last May 30, a Facebook video surfaced showing the Catholic priest begging President Rodrigo Duterte to give what the terrorists want, in exchange of their freedom. Last August 12, the Catholic priest was confirmed to be still alive.

But while Malacanang or AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) has yet to issue to formal statement regarding the rescue of Fr. Chito Suganub, the CBCP (Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines) has already express its gratitude to President Duterte and to the military. This is despite the fact that some bishops do not agree with some of his policies.



“The rescue of Fr Suganub is not only a welcome development for us, but for the entire nation as well. This shows that the government is serious in protecting and saving the lives of the innocent. We therefore thank the president and everyone involved in the operation. May God continue to bless all of you.” A statement reads at CBCP News website.

Contributed by Abner Esteno