Police arrested a motorcycle rider who was caught exhibiting disturbing acts on the altar of the Minor Basilica and Parish of Saint Martin of Tours or the Taal Basilica in Taal, Batangas on Tuesday, April 8.
The man’s actions, which happened as the church is preparing for the Holy Week that starts on Palm Sunday, earned widespread condemnation from the faithful and netizens.
A video of the incident caught on closed-circuit television camera and posted online showed that the man entered the church onboard a motorcycle with a female companion at about 11 a.m.
The motorcycle stopped by in front of the altar. He and his companion went down and the man proceeded to the altar and the woman left.
The man made the sign of the cross before sitting on the priest’s chair, clapped, and raised his feet. He was also seen stomping his feet and left afterwards.
The video ended there. He apparently was unaware that his actions were recorded.
A voice, apparently that of the person manning the CCTVs, could be heard expressing disgust over the unfolding events.
The church under the Archdiocese of Lipa was empty at that time.
The Taal police said they have the man in custody after the church filed a complaint against him.
Police said the church is pressing a complaint against him to teach him a lesson and prevent others from copying his actions.
The woman, who turned out to be his girlfriend, said he has not been his usual self.
Police Captain Rommel Magno, Taal police chief, said the man identified as Angelo admitted using marijuana. He is set to be charged on Thursday, April 10, for violation of Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code (offending religious belief). (Tristan Lozano, Danny Estacio)
