By: Leslie Ann Aquino
Just like other hostages of the Maute terrorist group, Father Teresito “Chito” Suganob is also expected to undergo healing and reintegration program.
According to a statement posted on the Facebook page of Duyog Marawi, the social action center of the Prelature of Marawi, Bishop Edwin Dela Pena has laid out a plan for the hostages’ healing and reintegration program once released.
This includes a general medical check-up and hospital confinement for their body to recover. After which, a long period of rest and recovery together with trauma therapy will be provided to them.
While Fr. Chito is going through a healing process, his programs and services at the Mindanao State University – chaplaincy, education, interfaith and peace building programs will be assumed by a combination of priests, lay missionaries from the Redemptorist Missionaries in the Philippines, Caritas Cebu, and the Capiz Archdiocesan Social Action Center in Roxas City.
The priest is the vicar general of the Marawi prelature, chaplain of MSU and acting rector of St Mary’s cathedral.
Suganob had been held hostaged by the Islamic State-inspired Maute group since the crisis erupted in Marawi City nearly four months ago.
He was even filmed appealing to the government to stop the military operations against the Maute which launched an assault on government and civilian facilities in Marawi City last May 23, 2017.
On Sunday, Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza said Suganob was rescued Saturday night in an area near Marawi City’s second biggest mosque in Bato District.
He, however, declined to give more information because of ongoing military operations in the area with the hope of rescuing more civilian hostages.
Church leaders led by Marawi Bishop Dela Peña earlier welcomed the news regarding the rescue of Suganob and other hostages.
