Philippines: Kidnapped priest in video appeal

scene from the video

Source: Youtube/ICN

A Filipino Catholic priest who was abducted by gunmen claiming to be jihadist militants, last week, has appealed for help in a video posted on social media today, May 30.

Father Teresito Suganob, (known as Fr Chito), vicar general of the Prelature of Marawi, was abducted with a group of church workers by gunmen during Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on 23 May. Later the Cathedral and other churches in the city were torched, and the city has been taken over by the jihadists. Many people have fled Marawi, but others are hiding in their homes.

In the muffled five minute video, Fr Chito, who is seen standing in a street which looks as though it has been bombed, calls on President Rodrigo Duterte to withdraw security forces from Marawi and stop the bombing. He said there are 240 people who have been caught up in crossfire. "We are prisoners of war" he says. "Collateral damage." Fr Chito appeals for Presd "Mr President, we are in the midst of this war. We are asking your help to please give what your enemies are asking for."

See the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFbnUOs4Idk