MANILA — Clergy members urged the public to be vigilant against groups who are out to spread violence and terror.
“In our time now, we should always be vigilant because there are always groups who are out to make trouble,” Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said in a statement released Tuesday.
“We pray that days of prayer and penance be respected by all,” Pabillo added.
On the other hand, Rev. Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Public Affairs Committee (CBCP-PAC), said that it is the job of authorities to ensure the safety of the public, and make sure that intelligence gathering is working properly.
“Law enforcers should tighten security. They should be more visible in public. More importantly, they should improve and make intelligence gathering efficient and truly reliable,” he said.
The Catholic priest also echoed Pabillo’s statement that the people should always be wary of their surroundings.
“The public, too, should be vigilant lest we become victims of possible terror acts,” Secillano said.
On Saturday, authorities arrested an alleged leader of the Islamic State-linked Maute terror group in Manila.
Spouses Abdul Nasser and Raisalam Lomondot, both from Lanao del Sur, were arrested along CM Recto, Divisoria.
Confiscated from them were a grenade and a handgun. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
