The Diocese of Caloocan held a prayer vigil on Friday night for the safety of Caloocan Bishop Ambo David, who recently bared that he has been receiving death threats.
The prayer vigil was included in San Roque Cathedral’s first Friday Mass. It was also held on the eve of the bishop’s 60th birthday.
The Mass was officiated by Fathers Jay De Leon, Jerome Cruz, and Philip Garcia, who urged the Catholic faithful to join them in offering prayers for David’s safety.
The bishop revealed that he has been receiving death threats from an unknown sender in a message read by his brother at the Ka Pepe Diokno Human Rights Awards at the De La Salle University on Tuesday.
Col. Restituto Arcangel, Caloocan City Police chief, said they are ready to provide security assistance to the bishop but said they have yet to meet with him.
The prelate is a known critic of the administration’s war on drugs and has been helping families of drug war victims in Caloocan, Malabon, and Navotas.
David has also been a target of the President’ tirades, accusing the bishop of using drugs and stealing church funds. He also threatened to kill the bishop should his accusations prove true.
However, President Duterte also warned others not to harm members of the Catholic clergy after Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle informed him of the death threats that the bishops have been receiving. (Minka Tiangco)