CBCP: ‘Bishop’ busted in drug operation not part of Catholic clergy  

MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has clarified that the bishop arrested in an anti-illegal drugs operation in Bacoor, Cavite is not a Catholic bishop.

According to an official statement released on Friday, CBCP said that Bishop Richard Alcantara of the Sacred Order of Saint Michael (SOSM) congregation is also not a member of the conference.

“We have received inquiries regarding a certain Bishop Richard Alcantara who was arrested due to illegal drugs in a buy-bust operation in Bacoor City on Friday, January 25,” CBCP said.

“Richard Alcantara is neither a Catholic bishop nor a priest of the Roman Catholic Church and is certainly not a member of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)”.

Alcantara, 38, and a companion were arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Alima, Bacoor, Cavite.

Police said Alcantara was not the original target of the operation,, but was spotted in the act of sniffing shabu.

Alcantara will be charged with violation of certain sections of R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

According to a website which also uses the name Sacred Order of Saint Michael and initials “SOSM”, the congregation specializes in exorcism. /gsg