Rider arrested after driving motorcycle straight inside Taal Basilica

A motorcycle rider was arrested after driving his motorcycle straight inside the Taal Basilica in Batangas, sitting on the priest’s chair with one foot up, and clapping.

According to a report by Bam Alegre in Balitanghali on Wednesday, CCTV footage showed a 23-year-old man on a motorcycle entering the church.

He had a female passenger, who walked away after the motorcycle reached the front of the altar.

The rider climbed up the altar, opened the barrier, and sat on the priest’s chair.

The rider then clapped and even raised one of his legs.

The incident occurred before noon on Tuesday, according to police.

The rider was taken to the Taal Municipal Police Station.

However, the man later admitted he was using marijuana that he bought online.

The man is facing a complaint of violating Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code or offending religious feelings.

GMA Integrated News is still trying to get the side of the Taal Basilica administration.

However, in an interview, the man said he does not regret what he did.

Interviewed on Balitanghali, Police Captain Rommel Magno, officer in charge of the Taal Municipal Police Station, said the man's replies were inconsistent, and the reason as to why he brought his motorcycle inside the basilica could not be established.

"Malayo po ang sagot niya sa mga tanong kaya hindi pa natin makausap nang maayos," Magno said.

(He has been vague in answering questions, so we have not been able to talk to him properly yet.)

According to Magno, the church administration will be the one to file the complaint.

Meanwhile, several relatives have already visited the man at the precinct.

"Sa salita po ng ama ay hindi niya alam na gumagamit ng droga 'yung kaniyang anak, sapagkat sinabi niya po sa amin na wala siyang nakikitang bisyo. 'Yung bata, galing nga raw sa trabaho," Magno said.

(According to his father, he was not aware that his son was using drugs, because he told us he did not see him with any vices. The man was just coming home from work.)

"Pero 'yung kaniyang girlfriend, ang sabi po ay kakaiba nga ang ikinikilos kasi hindi naman nagmamano sa kaniyang tatay. Noong araw na iyon ay bigla na lang nagmano," he added.

(But his girlfriend said the rider acted strange because he usually does not give her father a gesture of respect. But on that day, he suddenly placed her father's hand on his forehead.)

"Siguro po ay baka nakagamit ng droga at hindi po natin masabi ngayon hangga't hindi pa tapos ang imbestigasyon," said Magno.

(It is possible that he used drugs and we cannot say for sure until the investigation is complete.)

The police will request a drug test for the rider from their Crime Laboratory.

The man has no other records in the barangay or police station, and it was the first time he was arrested.

Meanwhile, his female companion will not face any complaints.

"Hindi naman niya kagustuhan na pumunta roon, nagdire-diretso lang ang motor," Magno said.

(She does not want to go there, the motorbike just went straight into the basilica.)

The police already have a deployment plan in place for the Basilica, Caysasay, and other areas of convergence for the influx of devotees during Holy Week.—Jamil Santos/AOL, GMA Integrated News