The vicar-general of the Prelature of Marawi and several other Catholic hostages taken by militants inspired by the so-called Islamic State (IS) are still alive after more than three months of fighting in the southern Philippine City.

At a press conference announcing the retaking of St Mary’s Cathedral, Major General Carlito Galvez, commander of government forces in Marawi, denied social media reports that terrorist gunmen may have spirited Father Teresito Soganub out of the city. The military presented gold-plated religious items including chalices and crucifix recovered by troops from the cathedral, which rebels abandoned on Aug. 25. Some of the items were damaged when the terrorists stormed the church on May 23, the first day of the conflict.

Marilyn Suganob-Ginni-van, a younger sister of the priest, said the family was glad to hear the information. “We are continuously praying for his safety and the other hostages. May God spare them [from death],” she told ucanews.com in a text message. “In two or three weeks’ time,” Galvez said the military expects the city to return to normal, as the battle zone has narrowed to just “400 to 600 square meters.” Captain Jo-ann Petinglay, spokesperson of Joint Task Force Marawi, said the cathedral needs repairing after many bullets struck the building. “It’s not totally wrecked. There was damage to the walls [from bullets],” she added. Earlier, IS-linked websites released a video showing fighters toppling over statues and desecrating icons before trying to set fire to the cathedral.