• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Binalbagan resident who destroyed religious images Wednesday inside the San Isidro Parish Church in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, was charged yesterday for malicious mischief and offending religious feelings, before the Negros Occidental Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
Binalbagan town deputy police chief PLt. Glenn Portunes said the suspect, Rolly Semira, a 39-year-old driver of Brgy. San Teodoro, Binalbagan, faces charges for violation of Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code.
Portunes was immediately arrested by the Binalbagan police after the incident Wednesday and is presently detained at the Binalbagan police custodial facility.
The suspect, who claims to be an Islam convert, drove his tricycle into the church while the mass officiated by Fr. Leopoldo Cahilig was ongoing, reports from the police said.
Initial police investigations showed that Portunes hit some pews as he drove his tricycle into the church and destroyed several images in front of parishioners and the priest.
“This untoward incident created a very painful impact on the faith and emotion of all Catholics in Binalbagan,” said Kabankalan Bishop Louie Galbines in a statement.
The bishop said that the suspect will be made to answer for the crime and damages he created.
“While the physical and external damages may cause so much burden to the parish, it is the internal injury to the minds and hearts of the faithful that concern more to us,” the bishop stressed.
He added that witnessing the desecration of the sanctuary and utter disrespect to the revered images generated so much pain and suffering to the people of the parish. Thus, while the restoration of the broken images is urgent, the reparation of the internal injury and pain is even paramount.
The bishop also announced that the church will remain closed for a period of time, to allow the repair of images to take place, while doing a penitential act, in order to effect the complete healing.
The images of St. Joseph, San Isidro Labrador, Immaculate Conception, two angels and crucifix were reported either as destroyed and partially damaged, while the tabernacle was also disfigured, according to a statement issued by the Diocese of Kabankalan.
Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol and the Muslim community in Binalbagan also condemned the incident. | GB
