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CBCP suspends, probes priest for allegedly soliciting minor for sex


The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced on Sunday that it had suspended a priest who the CBCP was investigating for allegedly soliciting the services of a 13-year-old through a 16-year-old pimp.

GMA 7 news program "24 Oras Weekeend" reported that Msgr. Arnel Lagarejos, a priest from the Taytay Parish, had been arrested in a Marikina City during a police entrapment operation.

The Archdiocese of Antipolo explained that Lagarejos's suspension meant that he could not perform priestly duties, particularly celebrating Mass.

"Thus, we assure the public that we respect the necessary procedures provided by law in order to further investigate the matter," the archdiocese added.

Meanwhile, the CBCP said that its investigation would run parallel to the Philippine National Police's human-trafficking investigation into the priest.

Furthermore, the CBCP's probe would continue, and Lagarejos's suspension would remain in force, whether or not legal charges are filed against the priest.

And neither was the Church's investigation dependent on the priest's cooperation. All they need are witness testimonies.

Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, who is the leading the investigation for the CBCP, explained, "Kapag ang Simbahan ay nakita na talaga na merong pagkakamali, at saka talagang dapat parusahan 'yung pari,  ipinapadala sa Roma [ang resulta ng imbestigasyon].

"'Pag parusa ng Simbahan ay iyong pagkapari mo, pagka-estadong pari mo, ay aalisin sayo," he added. — Margaret Claire Layug/DVM/KVD, GMA News

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