PNP ready to secure priests, bishops

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has offered security to Roman Catholic bishops and priests who face threats. “We already offered them security and even threat validation,” said PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde. The PNP chief disclosed that he had already discussed his security proposal to Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle following reports that one of the bishops has been receiving death threats.

“We also assured Cardinal Tagle that we will always be

there to help if any priest or bishop is facing any form of threat,” he added.

Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David had earlier admitted that he has been receiving threats, with his allies saying that it could be a result of his being vocal against the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

Due to the threats, Senior Superintendent Restituto Arcangel, Caloocan City police chief, said on Tuesday that he has already offered to extend security assistance to Bishop David.

“We don't even know how we can provide security for the bishop because we have not met him yet,” Arcangel said. “But we have relayed thru the priests who have access to him our readiness to give security assistance if he so desires.”

Last year alone, at least three priests were killed, one of them gunned down while he was about to officiate mass.

Some critics alleged that the threats on members of the Roman Catholic clergy had stemmed from President Duterte's vicious attacks on the bishops.

Recently, he was quoted encouraging bystanders to rob and kill bishops whom they would cross paths with.

Malacañang later said this was just a joke.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo instead blamed Duterte critics for the death threats against bishops and priests, saying it “is just another attempt to paint the President in a bad light.”

“In another attempt to bespatter the President's popularity, the political opposition has once again blamed PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) on the alleged death threats received by Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David,” he said.

According to Panelo, people are already used to Duterte's unconventional way of public speaking and they approve of his style.

“To reiterate what I previously said, a joke is a joke is a joke. The President’s remarks on some members of the clergy were done in jest or were made using figure of speech or hyperbole,” he said.

Meanwhile, Albayalde said that it is the mandate of the PNP to secure anybody who is facing serious threats.

He said that it is President Duterte himself who had earlier declared that he would be a tough enemy for those who would harm any priest.

“It is the President himself who declared that priests should neither be harmed or killed,” said Albayalde.

The Chief PNP then urged the Roman Catholic leadership to immediately inform the PNP if any of its priest or bishop receive death threats. (With reports from Minka S. Tiangco and Argyll B. Geducos)