FATHER Teresito “Chito” Soganub has officiated a mass for the first time inside a military camp on Sunday, September 24, a week after government forces have rescued him in Marawi City.
The Maute group held Soganub hostage for almost four months in the besieged city of Marawi.
Soganub was seen behind the altar in a chapel in Camp Aguinaldo in a
photo the military released on Monday, September 25. The mass was attended by military and civilian person of Armed Forces of the Philippines general headquarters.
But not much details were provided as to the homily of Soganub, who is still under rehabilitation on post traumatic stress disorder.
The government troops rescued Soganub September 16 following intense fighting in Marawi City’s main battle area.
Captain Jo-ann Petinglay, Western Mindanao Command information officer, described the mass as “a great celebration of life” for Father Chito (Soganub) whose personal safety was placed in danger because of the fierce gun battle in Marawi City.
Petinglay said the mass is also a thanksgiving for the lives of those who were rescued.
Petinglay said Soganub is “praying that he will be able to hear mass again at the St. Mary's Cathedral in Marawi City once the firefight is over and the area is cleared of improvised explosive devices that were laid by the terrorists.”
The Maute group abducted Soganub along with several other people when they besieged Marawi City on May 23. (SunStar Philippines)