MANILA, Philippines — A 38-year old man who claimed to be a bishop of the Sacred Order of Saint Michael (SOSM) was arrested during an anti-illegal drugs operation conducted by the Bacoor police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 4 Thursday afternoon in Bacoor, Cavite.
The Cavite Provincial Police Office said that one Bishop Richard Alcantara, and his companion, Perlito Alibay, 52, were not the actual targets of the anti-drug operation.
Police were actually pursuing Fernando Dacuma, who sold a sachet of shabu to undercover officers but eluded arrest.
Instead, police spotted Alcantara and Alibay sniffing shabu in Barangay Alima.
A Sacred Order of Saint Michael (SOSM) website says that the congregation is into exorcism.
It is also not under the control of the Vatican or the Roman Catholic Church.
Both Alcantara and Alibay will be charged with violating sections of R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The seized pieces of evidence from the duo were brought to the PNP Crime Laboratory Office in Imus, Cavite for further examination. /gsg