Duterte agrees to stop anti-Church rhetoric in meeting with CBCP president

President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles on Monday had a private meeting in Malacañang as the government tries to ease tension with the Catholic Church over the chief executive's remarks against God and Christianity.

According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Duterte "agreed to a moratorium on statements about the Church" during the 30-minute meeting with Valles that started around 4 p.m.

President Duterte, CBCP president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles met in Malacañang on Monday afternoon as the government tries to mend ties with the Catholic Church following Duterte’s scathing remarks against God and teachings of Christianity. ????: SAP Bong Go @gmanews pic.twitter.com/v2K4bmvMG3

— Virgil Lopez (@virgillopez) July 9, 2018

Malacañang earlier called for a "ceasefire" between Duterte and some Catholic Church officials ahead of the meeting. Roque, however, made it clear that if there was going to be a cessation of hostile language, it had to be from both sides.

The Palace official also said Duterte would not hesitate to fight back if he gets criticized again.

Duterte, amid intense criticism for calling God "stupid" and questioning Catholic Church doctrines such as the original sin, had created a four-man committee which would dialogue with religious groups.

Apart from Valles, the President will also meet with representatives from the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches in Malacañang but the date is still being finalized. —NB, GMA News