PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte's persistent verbal tirades against the priests haves nothing to do with the twin blasts at a Catholic church in Jolo, Sulu, Malacañang said on Tuesday, January 29.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that even the Chief Executive was "outraged" by the explosions that happened while a Mass was ongoing at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday morning, January 2.
"Definitely not," the Palace official told a press conference, when asked if Duterte's anti-Catholic rants played a part in the explosions in Jolo.
"In fact, the President is outraged. He's so angry that they have not respected the place of worship. That's why he declared war against all these perpetrators," he added.
Duterte, who believes in God but not in religion, has frequently thrown violent rhetoric against the Church hierarchy.
"If you say that the President's criticism of them would embolden others to disrespect the church, I don't think so," he said.
"Those who will attack places of worship, especially with the Catholics, are doing it because they do not believe in that religion. In other words, they're disrespecting precisely the religion," he added.
On Monday, January 28, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) spoke out against Duterte's verbal attacks on the clergy, following the twin bombings on Catholic church in Jolo, Sulu that killed 21 people and injured more than 100 others on Sunday, January 27.
Without mentioning Duterte, the CBCP lamented that the Catholic Church has been on the receiving end of "cruel words that pierce into the soul of the Church like sharp daggers."
It also observed that the "culture of violence" has gradually prevailed in the country, citing the recent bombing of the cathedral in Jolo.
"Forgive us for the length of time that it took us to find our collective voice. We too needed to be guided properly in prayer and discernment before we could guide you," the CBCP said.
"We also respect the freedom of expression of our fellow citizens in this country, including their personal opinions about faith and religion. But as as far as we know, the freedom of expression does not include a license to insult other people's faith, especially our core beliefs," it added.
Duterte has repeatedly accused prelates of living lavish lifestyles, performing sexual acts, and engaging in corruption, among others.
He has also made a call to "rob" and "kill moneyed bishops, whom he branded as "stupid" and "useless."
Panelo came to Duterte's defense, saying that the President merely wanted to stop the "hypocritical" and "immoral" acts of some members of the Catholic Church.
"It helps in cleansing the institution of its members," he said.
"The idea [of Duterte criticizing the Catholic Church) is to let them know that these hypocritical acts will not go unnoticed. And the more you should repeat them, the better for the faithful so that they will know," Panelo added.
Panelo also advised the clergy to stop interfering in the state's affairs, noting that the Church was "supposed to be in spiritual side."
Despite the rift between Duterte and the Catholic Church, Panelo believed that there were no "destructive effects" on both parties.
"My suggestion is rather than attack the President by way of making this statement, I'd rather that they issue a statement that they're all praying for our President to succeed in his endeavor," he said.
"And if there are mistakes, they pray to God that he be enlightened on certain mistakes that they perceive to be wrong," the Palace official added. (SunStar Philippines)