CBCP prexy calls on Filipinos to pray for peace and sobriety
Iloilo -- In the wake of the latest turmoil over the failed power grab by some military officials, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is appealing to the Filipinos to pray and be calm.
"What we can do at the moment is to pray for peace and sobriety in the face of these developments that is going on in Manila," CBCP president, Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo told The News Today in an exclusive interview Friday afternoon shortly after emerging from a mass at the Archbishop's Palace in Jaro.
I am asking the people to be calm, to be sober "so that we will not simply be reacting to what is going on," he added.
As he made the call, groups calling for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were taking to the streets in Metro Manila following the arrest of Brigadier General Danilo Lim allegedly for masterminding the ouster of the President.
Lagdameo refrained from making any other statement over the matter, saying that he has yet to wait for developments on what really happened.
"I won't give any statement because we are not yet sure if what is really happening there," he said. "I am waiting for definite developments of what is going on in Manila."
When asked to comment on Proclamation 1017 placing the entire country on a state of national emergency, Lagdameo answered, "that is precisely what I am waiting for the complete details of that statement."
He also declined commenting on the statements of the political opposition that the Arroyo administration is overreacting, saying "I do not know the situation and circumstance surrounding that declaration of the President. So I will not be able to make a statement on the matter."
He also expressed concern for what might possibly happen to innocents who get caught in the middle of the fight between the administration and the opposition.
In a related development, government police reportedly arrested Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran on Saturday based on a 21-year-old rebellion case.
Government also filed criminal charges against former Sen. Gregorio Honasan over a failed 2003 military mutiny on the day President Arroyo declared a state of national emergency over another alleged coup attempt.
Retired general Ramon Montaño, former chief of the now-defunct Philippine Constabulary, reportedly, was also arrested over the weekend. Montaño had supported calls for Arroyo to step down.
Several military officials and known opposition leaders were also reportedly invited for questioning by the police upon orders of top government officials.