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Muslim leaders want Father Chito freed, backchannel talks ongoing —AFP

Teresito Suganob © Provided by GMA News Online Teresito Suganob

Muslim leaders in Marawi are also keen to make sure that abducted priest Father Teresito "Chito" Suganob will be saved alive from the Maute group.

Suganob is the vicar general of the city's Cathedral of Our Lady Help of Christians.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. after Wednesday’s Mindanao Hour in Malacañang said that Suganob had established ties with Muslim leaders through joint projects.

“There are many religious leaders from the Muslim side who are interested that Father Chito come out of this alive because they have been working together on many good projects. Kung mawawala siya, sino magiging connection ng Muslim leaders?” Padilla told reporters.

“So, kailangan iyong Muslim leaders makipagtulungan at hikayatin mga Muslim na humahawak sa kanya na huwag siya patayin at panatilihin siya kasi siya ay tumutulong, hindi lang sa Kristiyano, tumutulong din siya sa Muslim,” he added.

Padilla said that the government believes that Sagunob’s ties with Muslim leaders will help in possible back channel talks with the Maute to let go of their hostages.

"As of this time, as I’m making this report and days prior to this, there have also been efforts to reach out through the backdoor for back channel talks with possible parties who may help," Padilla said.

“Under these circumstances, we have a lot of faith in other organizations and informal channels to thresh out because we, as armed component of the security force, our attention and our focus is to deal with security issues - the armed component we are encountering,” he added.

While Padilla saod that the government did not negotiate with terrorists, he continued to call on Maute to surrender.

“Our message is while we have time you have time consider deeply to surrender, lay down your arms and let's just talk. We will treat you humanely,” Padilla said.

“Tulad ng sinabi namin, wala sila option - surrender or die,” he added.

Video

Padilla said that the authorities were still assessing the video of Suganob asking the military to stop its operations against Maute.

He said that the video seemed authentic but used as propaganda by the Maute.

"The propaganda of the enemy is already of—means that are indicative of their fighting for survival. They are trapped. They are contained. They are in areas that they will never come out alive unless they surrender," he said.

Padilla also pointed out that there were bishops who said that Suganob was pressured to speak in the video.

"And may I also refer to you—to the comments of some of our bishops who you asked for comments and they mentioned that it is apparent that the Reverend is speaking in duress, so pressured siya. So that is indicative of many things," he said. —NB, GMA News

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