AFP: Rescue of seized Marawi priest a priority

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Military operations to rescue a parish priest taken by Maute group militants in Marawi are underway, an official said.  

Fr. Teresito Suganog, parish priest of St. Mary’s Cathedral, his two helpers and 10 parishioners were seized during novena prayers on Tuesday night.

“One of the priorities of the First Army Division is to secure Fr. Suganog. They are hoping the priest is still alive,” Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson, said.

Petinglay refused to give details of the military operation, saying they are verifying information from their sources. 

Marawi Bishop Edwin dela Peña said a member of the Maute group who answered when they called Suganog’s mobile phone  is calling for the suspension of military operations in exchange for the release of the priest.

Terror alert up in more areas

Meanwhile, the Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas police are on alert with the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

“I have directed all unit commanders…to strengthen target hardening on vital installations, economic key points as well as places of convergence and ensure high state of operational readiness to thwart any hostile action that may be launched by terror groups,” Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon police director, said in a statement.

Senior Superintendent Eleazar Igloso, Eastern Visayas police community relations chief, said they are on “constant alert.”

The regional police units said they also support the declaration of martial law in Mindanao and would send troops if necessary. 

PUVs barred

Saying it is not yet safe to enter Marawi, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) barred public utility vehicles from entering the city.

Aminoden Guro, LTFRB-Northern Mindanao chairman, said nine buses were supposed to go to Marawi yesterday morning to ferry evacuating residents and students.

Guro said they also received reports that several improvised explosive devices were planted by Maute militants across the city that could endanger the lives of rescuers and evacuees.

He said even volunteer groups, including members of Duterte’s Kitchen, were barred from entering the city.

 In Caraga, the regional disaster risk reduction and management council raised a red alert status at around 3 p.m. on Wednesday to prevent a spillover of hostilities in Marawi.

“This will serve as warning for disaster response agencies to undertake monitoring operations as well as enhance preparedness measures and interagency coordination so we could undertake efficient consequence management and human assistance operations to affected communities,” said Rosauro Arnel Gonzales, Office of Civil Defense-Caraga director. – With Gerry Lee Gorit, Miriam Desacada, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ben Serrano