Rescued Marawi priest Father Chito wants to hold mass

MARAWI CITY, Philippines – The military said former Maute hostage Father Teresito “Chito” Soganub is already planning to hold mass.

“Nagbabalak po siyang mag-misa. Gusto niyang mag-misa (He’s planning to hold mass. He wants to hold mass),” said Colonel Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of Task Group Ranao in Marawi. 

Brawner, who escorted the priest from Marawi to Manila, said also among the first requests of Soganub were a Bible and a rosary. (READ: Marawi priest Chito Soganub rescued from Maute)

He also asked to given seafood for meals, said Brawner.

The priest remains under the custody of the military. They will seek to get information of the battle area from him.

“This is a normal process that everybody who was taken hostage has to go through,” said Brawner. He was flown to Manila Monday morning.

“He was in high spirits. Nakita namin condition niya. Maganda naman (We saw his condition. He’s good),” Brawner said.

There have been speculations that Soganub may have converted to Islam while spending time with Omar Maute inside the battle area, one of the leaders of the local terror groups linked with international terrorist network Islamic State (ISIS). (READ: Terror in Mindanao: The Mautes of Marawi) 

Soganub was rescued Saturday night, September 16, in the midst of intense firefight over control of Bato Mosque. It was where hostages were reportedly kept safe after the local terror groups were flushed out of a bigger mosque, the Islamic Center of the Grand Mosque. 

The enemies have taken shelter in mosques knowing the military policy not to bomb religious facilities. – Rappler.com