PAWS calls out diocese over apology in viral Eastern Sunday bird incident

Animal welfare group Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has called out the Diocese of Kalookan over its apology regarding the use of a pigeon in a viral balloon-flying incident on Easter Sunday, saying that animals "should not be used as props."

The Diocese Shrine and Parish of the Immaculate Conception in Malabon has received flak for using a live dove on its Easter presentation for Holy Week 2026. Photos circulating online showed that the wings of the dove were stretched and it was cable-tied to a rod. It was later tied to balloons that were released during the Salubong Mass.

The diocese has issued an apology and committed to discontinue the balloon-flying practice next year. It also said the bird "will be released immediately after the unveiling" of the Mary statue instead.

In a press statement, PAWS said the diocese "seem(s) to miss the point that the act of fastening the dove's wings to a tube using cable ties causing the animal extreme suffering while using it as a prop for their presentation is a crime."

The group also urged the Church not to violate the Animal Welfare Act.

"If we cannot be guided by the basic precept that animals are capable of suffering, and therefore we have a moral duty to prevent suffering whenever we can, we can perhaps be convinced that there is the law that can make violators accountable," said PAWS Executive Director Anna Cabrera. 

"The next time this happens, we will file a case, " Cabrera said.

PAWS has also appealed to the public to remain vigilant and submit affidavits if a similar presentation with live animals happens next Easter.

Animal welfare group Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) has likewise condemned the incident, saying that "symbolism should never come at the expense of the welfare and humane treatment of living creatures."

The AKF said the bird is dead, a "reasonable conclusion" given to what happened to it. 

"Imagine being that bird, restrained, surrounded by sudden loud explosions as balloons pop one by one, unable to escape and set itself free. That is not symbolism. That is suffering and torture," AKF said.

The parish earlier apologized to Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, who has said he would not have approved the practice had he been aware of it. — VDV, GMA News