Religious group decries arrest of pastor who organized event amid quarantine

A religious group based in Cagayan de Oro on Monday denounced the arrest of a pastor who violated social distancing measures amid a city-wide quarantine by organizing an event for some 500 people.

The city’s Regulatory Compliance Board earlier said the event was organized by the Word of God Spirit & Life Ministries, Inc. 

In a statement obtained through Mindanao Gold Star Daily, the Cagayan de Oro Evangelical Council (CEC) said the arrest of Pastor Alfred Caslam disregarded his freedom of religion and the principle of the separation of church and state.

Cagayan de Oro City was placed under a quarantine through Executive Order 049-2020, which also banned mass gatherings.

“No executive order or statutes can supersede the Constitution for it is the supreme and fundamental laws of the land,” the CEC countered.

“Reverend Caslam was arrested and handcuffed as if he is a criminal. We strongly condemned such atrocity for shaming the servant of God.”

The regulatory board said Caslam will face charges for violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act 11332.

The city government also shuttered the establishment following the arrest.

Social distancing measures are being enforced nationwide to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease, which has claimed 163 lives and infected over 3,000 people as of Monday afternoon. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News