By NEL B. ANDRADE & LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO
Monsignor Arnel Lagarejos has been relieved of his duties as parish priest of Saint John The Baptist Church in Taytay, Rizal, after he was caught in a police entrapment operation with a 13-year-old girl he allegedly met through a pimp on social media.
Antipolo Bishop Francis De Leon also stripped the priest of all his other positions in the diocese including his being the president of Cainta Catholic College.
Lagarejos was arrested Friday afternoon after the mother of the 13-year old victim sought police assistance to save her daughter from a 16-year-old gay who pimped her through the Internet.
The pimp was also arrested during the entrapment outside the Blue Wave Mall in Marikina City on Friday night.
The victim was reportedly inside a car driven by the priest as they were allegedly about to go to a hotel prior to the police operation which was also witnessed by the local social worker.
In an official statement, the Diocese of Antipolo emphasized that it “respects the necessary procedures as provided by law in order to further investigate the matter.”
The diocese also urged the public to refrain from issuing unnecessary comments that might worsen the situation as it appealed for all the faithful to pray that the truth may come out.
The statement of the diocese does not indicate who will replace Lagarejos in his assignments.
The involved minors are now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The 55-year old priest, on the other hand, has been subjected to inquest proceedings.