Gordon reminds Duterte to be careful on remarks vs bishops, priests

Sen. Richard Gordon. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte must be careful on his statements against religious leaders such as urging public to kill bishops and priests, Senator Richard Gordon said on Saturday.

“Mag-ingat sa mga biro kung minsan nagbabagsak siya minsan, ine-exaggerate niya, sinasabi niya may mangyari, tayo pagsisisihan,” Gordon told local radio station DWIZ.

Gordon was reacting on the news bared by Duterte in a text message from Manila Archbishop Luis Cardinal Tagle saying that Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David and other priests have received death threats.

With this, Duterte then ordered to not threaten the lives of bishops and priests, saying his fight with the Catholic Church is “personal.”

“Ang sagot ko ganito, ‘yang aming away ko sa Katoliko amin lang yan personal. Kayong mga adik, ‘wag ninyong totohanin ‘yong pukpokin yung bishop at kardinal, hindi sila kasali sa political ruckus,” the President said in his speech on Monday.

READ: About-face: Duterte now says ‘Don’t kill bishops, priests’

Gordon also reminded the President not to “fall on his own sword” as he might get blamed for the issue.

“Don’t fall on your own sword, Mr. President dahil baka mamaya ikaw pa ang sisisihin,” the senator said.

In December 2018, the President intensified his attacks against the religious leaders as if urging the public to assassinate them.

“[I]tong mga obispo ninyo, patayin ninyo. Walang silbi iyang mga gagong iyan. All they do is criticize,” he said in his speech. /jpv

READ: Another joke? Duterte says Catholic bishops useless… kill them