DAVAO CITY (September 11)— The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Monday assured the government that it will not take part in any destabilization plot against the government.
Fr. Jerome Secillano, CBCP-Permanent Committee on Public Affairs (PCPA) exective secretary, in a forum in Manila “Definitely kung meron man plan wala dun ang simbahan. I can say that. The Church is not in the habit of participating in these kinds of plans. Walang ganun ang simbahan.”
Secillano added that he cannot say, though, if such a plan exists.
‘Yun lang ang gagawin kong assurance sa inyo wala d’yan ang simbahan. Walang participation dyan ang simbahan (That is the only assurance I can give you that the Church will not be involved in that. The Church will not participate in such plots),” the priest added.
He also noted that the Church is not an enemy but a partner of the government.
He lauded President Rodrigo Duterte’s policies on certain issues including the closure of Boracay and cutting red tape.
“‘Yung ginawa niya sa Boracay malaki impact niya sa environment. Meron siyang political will sa mga bagay na ito. Nakikinig at umaaksyon, malaking bagay ‘yun. Mga overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) (na) lumapit sa kanya, natutulungan nya. Malaking bagay ‘yun. ‘Yung nabawasan ‘yung bureaucratic process, ‘yung (dati) kasi kailangan dumaan pa kay ganito…meron din ginawang iba pa at na-appreciate namin ‘yun (What he did to Boracay has a big impact on the environment,” Secillano explained.
He added that Duterte “Has political will. He listens and acts. That is something big. He was able to help OFWs who are in need,” he added. “The bureaucratic process was also eased. In the past, one has to deal with some other officials. Much has been done and we appreciate that).”
But observers noticed, most of those who are actively joining the rallies and protest against the government are clergies of the Catholic Church which are under the supervision of the CBCP.
Catholic Priest Noel Gachalian in a mass for Trillanes even revealed in a joke, he prayed that Duterte will get sick.
Catholic priest Armado Picardal, a critic of Duterte also claimed the church will continue to help those marginalized by Duterte, he moves around the country with his bike to advocate for life and protect the people against human rights abuses.
Picardal is among the mover of the Coalition Against Summary Executions (Case), Picardal was able to document the killings allegedly carried out by the Davao Death Squad (DDS) when Rodrigo Duterte was mayor. He was based in Davao City from 1977 to 1981 and from 1995 to 2011.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas, an avid supporter of the Aquino family, has been issuing statements about peoples movement against Duterte.
The three are among the Catholic leaders who have shown direct/indirect participation in rallies, protest and movement against the Duterte administration for various reasons,they are one in condemning what they call the senseless killings in the country.
Duterte on Saturday said the opposition, the church and the communist groups are up in arms to topple his administration.
The Department of National Defense earlier said it is already looking into intelligence reports of destabilization plot against the President. with report from PNA
