Rescued Marawi priest arrives in Manila

FATHER Chito Soganub on-board a PAF helicopter with Zia Adiong, spokesman of LDS Provincial Crisis Management Center, and Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., spokesman of the Joint Task Force Marawi, to Manila. Soganub was rescued by the government troops on Saturday afternoon as they continue to move forward capturing the Bato Mosque, one of the strongholds of the ISIS-inspired Maute group. Photo Courtesy of Zia Adiong

A Roman Catholic priest held hostage by the IS-linked Maute terrorist group arrived in Manila on Monday, two days after he was rescued by government forces from a nearly four-month captivity in Marawi City.

A Philippine Air Force C-295 plane carrying Father Chito Soganub, Lanao del Sur Provincial Management Crisis Committee spokesperson Zia Adiong, and Joint Task Force Marawi spokesperson Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., landed at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at 1:40p.m.

Peace Adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza earlier said Soganub and a companion were rescued by government forces late Saturday after re-taking Bato Mosque, one of the strongholds of the Maute group.

READ: Troops rescue abducted priest, teacher amid battle in Marawi

He was among the dozens abducted by the terrorist group last May when the IS-linked fighters laid siege in Marawi City.

A few days after Soganub was abducted last Mary 23, he appeared in a propaganda video asking President Rodrigo Duterte to stop the military operations.

READ: Abducted priest appeals to Duterte to stop military operations in Marawi

/kga