MANILA, Philippines – Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo believes the death threats against Caloocan Bishop Pablo David were merely made up.
David, a critic of Duterte, bared that he has been receiving death threats following the verbal attacks of President Rodrigo Duterte against him and members of the clergy.
READ: Bishop confirms death threats
David’a admission came after the President revealed a text message from Manila Archbishop Luis Cardinal Tagle saying that Bishop David and other priests have received death threats from someone claiming to be part of the first family.
“Dapat imbestigahan iyan kung totoo. Pero ako, tingin ko gawa-gawa lang iyang mga threat na iyan,” Panelo said in aninterview over radio dzBB.
Duterte had earlier urged bystanders to kill bishops or steal from them.
READ: Another joke? Duterte says Catholic bishops useless… kill them
But Duterte changed his tune and warned the public not to kill bishops and priests after receiving the text from Cardinal Tagle.
READ: About-face: Duterte now says ‘Don’t kill bishops, priests’
He said bishops and priests were not “involved in the political ruckus.”
The Cartholic Church has earned the ire of Duterte for criticizing his brutal war on drugs and anti-criminality campaign. /muf