The Philippine National Police and officials of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on Thursday agreed to intensfy communications intended to address the safety of clergymen on the internal cleansing of the institution of erring personnel.
After the meeting, PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said that both parties agreed to hold constant dialogue to thresh out CBCP’s concerns over the security of priests, and their efforts to assist the PNP on its internal cleansing program.
Under the newly established “Ugnayan ng Simbahan at Pulis,” both parties will hold regular dialogue to tackle the recent killing of priests which alarmed the CBCP.
Albayalde, along with NCRPO director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar and PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Benigno Durana, met CBCP officials led by Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Public Affairs Committee, Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista, Public Affairs chairman and secretary general Fr. Marvin Mejia.
The meeting lasted for almost two hours.
During the meeting, CBCP officials were assured by Albayalde that the clergy are not “targets.”
“The PNP chief himself assured that we were really not targets,” Secillano said in an interview.
In a span of six months, three priest have already been killed, the latest victim being Fr. Richmond Nilo of the Diocese of Cabanatuan City.
Albayalde said they revealed to the CBCP’s initial findings on the current status of murder cases involving Catholic priests, as he assured that they would continue investigating the incidents.
With regards to the case of Fr. Nilo, Albayalde said they are expecting positive results.
“We’ve been following-up the motorcycle [used by the assailants]. I think by next week we will have good developments,” the PNP chief said.
When asked if the CBCP requested security for the clergy and parishes, Secillano said that they “didn’t request that police be placed in churches.”
“What’s good about this meeting is that communication lines area open, that whenever we need them, we can immediately coordinate with them,” Secillano said.
Albayalde thanked the CBCP for being receptive to their request on matters of assisting them on its internal cleansing program.
“One of the reasons why we are here is to ask for their help in our internal cleansing program, plus the rehabilitation of drug surrenderees and their willingness to help us in the values formation to our police,” Albayalde said.
“We are very happy and thankful to the CBCP for their help,’ Albayalde said.
Albayalde added that they also briefed CBCP officials on the updates on the recent killings.
“I think they were very much satisfied with our updates,” he said.
Secillano, on the other hand, advised PNP officials to make drastic changes not only in its system but also on the personal aspect.
“If you are a law enforcer then enforce the law, Make sure that the public is safe, secure. So that’s the kind of help they asked from us,” he said.