• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An alleged Islam convert was reported to have run amok inside the San Isidro Parish Church in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, destroying various religious figures at the altar area while a mass was ongoing, shocking the priest and parishoners.
The suspect, identified by the police as Rolly Semira, a 39-year-old Islam convert, of Brgy. San Teodoro, Binalbagan, drove his tricycle into the church at about 7:15 a.m. on Wednesday, while a mass was being officiated by Fr. Leopoldo Cahilig.
Fr. Cahilig, the parish priest of the San Isidro Labrador Church, disclosed that the perpetrator broke the images of St. Joseph, Parish Patronal Saint Isidro Labrador, Immaculate Conception, and two angels.
Some of the destroyed statues were reportedly antiques.
PLt. Glenn Portunes, Binalbagan deputy police chief, disclosed that the suspect was reported to be a member of the Muslim community in Binalbagan.
In a radio interview, the Muslim community in Binalbagan condemned the incident, and slammed the use of the name of Allah in the destruction of images at the Roman Catholic Church.
Akhir Saripada, a Muslim community Imam in Binalbagan, however, disowned Semira as a member of their congregation.
Semira, who was born a Roman Catholic, was immediately arrested by the Binalbagan police who responded to the incident. He will also be subjected to a drug test, according to the police.
Fr. Cahilig said the parish church intends to file charges against Semira, who will face charges for violation of Article 132 of the Criminal Code of the Philippines or interruption of religious worship.
As a result of the incident, Fr. Cahilig said that the Church of San Isidro Labrador will be closed for two days, starting April 3.
“The church will remain closed after the funeral masses this afternoon We will inform you of the future development while we try to fix ‘externally’- the physical damages in the sanctuary and ‘internally’ – the injury and pain felt by all Catholics in Binalbagan caused by this untoward incident,” he said.
The parish priest also asked parishioners to “pray for the immediate restoration of the sanctuary and complete spiritual and emotional healing of everyone.”
“We entrust the person concerned to the mercy and compassion of God. God bless us all,” Cahilig added.
In a statement, Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol said “I condemn the perpetrator’s actions and will ensure that such incidents are avoided in the future. Rest assured that the LGU will fully support the renovations necessary to restore the church to its sacred state. While our sacred statues may have been broken, our faith remains unshaken. God bless everyone.”
Mirasol added that he “guarantees the church, our priests and personnel, and the churchgoers the safety and sanctity, and assures you that something like this will not happen again.”*
