GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
Catholic priest learns to forgive Maute-ISIS captors
A year after the declaration of martial law in Mindanao and after spending almost four months as a captive of the Maute-ISIS group, Fr. Chito Suganob recalls his ordeal and journey towards forgiving his captors.
He admitted that during that time as a hostage, he collected gun powder for the terror group and converted to Islam.
"Dahil bihag ka, susunod ka sa utos because the context is bihag ka and context is I'm not afraid to die. Kung hindi ako susunod, ok lang kung patayin ako," he said.
Suganob shared that it is the sense of uncertainty despite being told that they would not be killed.
"I do not know kung ano ang mangyari," he said, adding his focus during his captivity is survival so he had to cooperate with the terror group.
He also experienced doubt in his faith as he questioned God's wisdom during very trying moments.
"I'm in the process of healing physically. Pumupunta palagi sa doctor for tinitingnan yung pain therapy kung paano and then yung psychiatric and psychological side kasi yung 117 days under Marawi siege parang very devastating, parang nasira talaga yung inner being mo," he said.
Suganob was in Kauswagan town in Lanao del Norte on Monday to participate in the 17th anniversary of a group called Pakigdait, a group that aims to bridge the communication gaps between religions in the country.
He is also joining the iftar or the end of the Ramadan.
It was also during his captivity that he was able to develop friendships to the most unusual group of people, his captors, the members of the local terror group, the Maute-ISIS.
"I feel bad bakit tinamaan siya, mamatay siya hindi pa rin maiiwasan yung human dimension dahil sila tao din. We transcend parang being a captive (then) sila ang hostage taker ko," he said.
"But we are friends, we talk together, we sleep together, we have the same fears, masakit din ano why we became friends in this situation," he added.
Suganob does not regret staying at the church in Marawi where he was abducted by members of the terror group.
He has also learned to start to move on from the harrowing experience and let go of his hatred towards his captors.
"May galit sana pero ano ako, Kristiyano ako at pari ako. I still believe na the Christian way is the way of love so part pa rin yung forgiveness," he said.
The priest also voiced hope that after the Marawi siege, more people would be more sensitive and respect the religious beliefs of others. — Merlyn Manos/BAP/KG, GMA News
