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In new video, abducted Marawi priest asks to stop military offensives

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/05/30/fr-soganob-053017.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Fr. Chito Suganob</div></figcaption></figure></div><p>The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday confirmed that the man in a video circulating online was a priest allegedly taken hostage last week by the Maute group.</p><p>The video posted online showed Fr. Chito Suganob appealing to the government to halt military offensives in Marawi City.</p><p>Catholic leaders earlier sought help from Muslim religious heads for Suganob’s release.</p><p>&quot;I pray for the safety of all the hostages. I appeal to the consciences of the hostage takers not to harm the innocent as the Islamic faith teaches. I appeal to religious leaders of Islam to influence the hostage takers to release the hostages unharmed,&quot; Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo said in an interview with the Church-run Radio Veritas.</p><p>Suganob was abducted Wednesday, a day after Maute rebels launched attacks against government troops who were chasing terrorist Isnilon Hapilon. </p><p>CBCP had said Suganob and other hostages were at the Cathedral of St. Mary&#x27;s when they were abducted. </p><p>Bishop Edwin dela Peña, Prelature of Marawi, had said terrorists broke into Suganob&#x27;s house inside the Cathedral&#x27;s compound and took with them the priest, the parish secretary, two working students, and at least 10 other parishioners.</p>

<p>The video posted online showed Fr. Chito Suganob appealing to the government to halt military offensives in Marawi City.</p>

The video posted online showed Fr. Chito Suganob appealing to the government to halt military offensives in Marawi City.