Fr. Chito to take break before returning to Church duties

Fr. Teresito “Chito” Suganob (Photo: RevFr-Teresito-Chito-Suganob-654152128108325/Facebook)

MANILA — The Prelature of St. Mary’s in Marawi City will let Fr. Teresito “Chito” Suganob rest for a while from his duties after being rescued by government forces from the Maute group.

According to Fr. Nono Reteracion, the responsibilities of the rescued member of the Catholic Church will be temporarily handled by different priests and lay missionaries.

“For the meantime that Fr. Chito will go 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 seconded priests and lay missionaries from the Redemptorist Missionaries in the Philippines, Caritas Cebu, and the Capiz Archdiocesan Social Action Center in Roxas City,” he said in a statement.

Reteracion, along with Duyog Marawi team, lauded the efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that resulted in the rescue of their Vicar General on Saturday near Bato Mosque, Marawi City.

He noted that Marawi City Bishop Edwin dela Peña also wants to help other hostages once they are released from captivity.

“Bishop Dela Peña has laid out plans for hostages’ healing and reintegration program once they would be released. This include 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,” he said.

Reteracion added the military will provide them with more details once the debriefing is completed.

“For the meantime, we pray for the safety and immediate release of the other hostages,” he said. (PNA)