According to Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, spokesperson for Joint Task Force Marawi, Catholic priest Chito Suganob is still alive based on information given by rescued hostages three days ago. Herrera said that based on survivor accounts, Suganob was being made to cook and serve food to the militants. Visual po, nakita ng mga nakapanayam natin,” the military spokesman said, adding that security forces are still monitoring the “fluid” situation on the ground. In the last 48 hours po marami po tayong nakuhang war materials, IED at meron rin po tayong mangilan-ngilan rin po tayong nailigtas na mga hostages o escapee,” he said. The military has struggled to rid Marawi of Islamist militants who are positioned in strategic areas.

Source: Philippine Star July 03, 2017 12:45 UTC