MANILA - The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday said it is entrusting the government with the fate of a parish priest snatched by militants in Marawi.

This, after terror leader Abdullah Maute reportedly offered to release hostage Fr. Chito Suganob in exchange for the freedom of his parents.

"It's a sensitive matter. Let's leave it to the government and Fr. Chito's bishop to decide on the matter," the CBCP said in a statement released by its public affairs committee.

"Our only wish is for the safe release of the hostages," they added.

An Inquirer report said Maute offered to free Suganob when he met with some 8 Muslim leaders last Sunday during an 8-hour ceasefire enforced by the military in respect of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Fitr.

The terror leader also reportedly said his group was willing to withdraw from Marawi if the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) intervenes and negotiates with the government.

The military was still verifying the report as of early Tuesday, said Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Padilla.

Padilla however added that it is not up to the military to decide on how the government should respond.

• READ: No info on offer to swap priest for Maute parents: military

Terrorists abducted Suganob and several parishioners from the St. Mary's Cathedral on May 24, a day after launching attacks against government troops who were chasing ISIS-inspired Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.

On May 30, the priest was seem in a video asking the government to stop its offensives in Marawi City. The military, however, dismissed the video as terrorist propaganda.

Suganob was next seen alive over the weekend by a civilian who was since rescued from the war zone, according to Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, spokesperson of the Joint Task Force Marawi spokesperson.

• MORE STORIES: Marawi siege, martial law in Mindanao