Manila archdiocese opens dialogue channels with military, police

Top police and military officials have paid a courtesy call on the administrator of the Manila archdiocese on Tuesday, a meeting that prompted “regular dialogue channels”.

Metro Manila’s police chief BGen. Debold Sinas said they want to establish strong coordination with Bishop Broderick Pabillo, who currently heads the archdiocese in a caretaker capacity.

“There used to be no meeting point but now we’re happy that the bishop and the clergy are also amenable to the idea,” Sinas said in an article posted at the archdiocese’s website.

Sinas was accompanied by BGen. Alex DC Luna, AFP Joint Task Force-NCR commander, and other security officials during the meeting held at the archdiocese’s headquarters in Manila.

The police officer assured the archdiocese that they will always be of service to the Church, adding that they need the Church’s continued guidance considering the nature of their job.

He stressed that they are willing to hold regular dialogue with the Church where constant updating about the peace and order situation in Metro Manila can be done.

“We’re very willing to brief you on criminality, on terrorism, and on any incident you’re interested,” Sinas told Pabillo.

Bishop Pabillo, for his part, said that the Church is ready to do what is necessary for the common good.

He also pointed out the necessity for regular dialogue “because we are serving only one people so we really have to work together”.

“We can avoid certain misunderstandings if we will continue to dialogue,” Pabillo said.

Also present in the meeting were Fr. Chris Fajardo and Fr. Nonong Fajardo of the Manila archdiocese’s public affairs office and Fr. Jerome Secillano of the bishops’ public affairs committee.