Negotiation for priest’s freedom gov’t’s call—bishop

Fr. Teresito Suganob makes an appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte to stop military operations in Marawi. (Photo from a video circulating on Facebook)

It is the call of the government if it decides to negotiate for the freedom of the priest held by the Islamic State-inspired Maute group, Marawi Bishop Edwin dela Peña said on Tuesday.

“Kasi nasa gobyerno ‘yan, it’s in the government’s call, to decide to enter to negotiation or not. Alam natin na simula’t sapul ay ayaw nilang makipag-negotiate (We knew from the start that they don’t want to negotiate),” he told Radyo Veritas.

Fr. Teresito “Chito” Suganob, the vicar general of Marawi City, was one of the hostages taken by the Maute group when it attacked the city last month.

He added that the Church won’t be part of the negotiations for Suganob and other church workers.

“Maghintay na lang tayo kung ano ang susunod na hakbang ng gobyerno (Let’s just wait for the government’s next move). The ball is in their court,” he said.

One of the terrorists has reportedly offered the freedom of Suganob in exchange for the release of the parents of the Maute brothers, who were arrested in separate incidents early this month in Davao City and Lanao del Sur.

READ: Mautes offer to swap priest for parents

Dela Peña said they were happy to know that Suganob and other hostages were alive.

“Natutuwa tayo diyan (that makes us happy), that’s good news for us, well hindi lang naman si Father Chito (not just the news about Father Chito). We should not forget na marami siyang kasama, at mga kilala namin ‘yon kasama din namin sa bahay (We should not forget that he has companions too, and we know them because they live in one house with us),” he said.

Also on Tuesday, the government maintained its position that it wouldn’t negotiate with terrorists by rejecting the offer.

READ: Gov’t negotiator rejects Maute offer to swap priest for parents

“If we will give in to their demands, it seems they are also terrorizing us. So negotiation is not possible,” peace secretary Jesus Dureza said. IDL/rga